Greater Shepparton City Council is preparing to take the operators of Gaza Lambs, in MItchell Rd, to VCAT to enforce compliance with planning conditions, following complaints from neighbours.
The council engaged consultants to inspect the property earlier this year and a subsequent report has found there were a number of areas of non-compliance with the planning permit issued for the conduct of an intensive industry at the site.
The report alleges the operation does not comply with some conditions required under Meat & Livestock Australia national guidelines for a feedlot.
The problem areas include manure management, carcass management, odour management, record keeping and drainage.
The report found a pile of dead sheep was “odorous and putrid”.
Stock can only be buried on site with Environment Protection Authority approval.
A report to council states that composting carcasses on-site would be in contravention of a condition of the permit and not in accordance with current guidance issued by the EPA regarded as best practice.
“Ideally, the carcasses should be refrigerated until they are picked up and taken to the knackery, rendering plant or licensed landfill. If the proponent wishes to have the option to bury the carcasses on site, this will need approval from the EPA,” the report said.
A nearby resident in Mitchell Rd has complained to council, the EPA and Agriculture Victoria about the odour, drainage and dust hazard created by the feedlot.
A 2023 letter from council solicitors demanded the business operators submit amended plans of the pens, require a drainage plan for the site and the construction of a vehicle crossing from Mitchell Rd to the site. The planning permit required that an odour management plan should be submitted.
The council contends the above had not been carried out.
The operation was initially issued a planning permit in 2021.
A hearing in VCAT is expected in February next year.
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