Baiada's poultry project hits obstacle

A joint regional planning panel for Baiada's proposed 900,000-bird poultry development near Tamworth has been delayed due to the discovery of a public road on the site.

The road has forced a re-exhibition of the development application. The road exists on a map but has never been opened to the public.

It vests in the Crown and is partially covered by one of Baiada's three proposed poultry production units, which will house up to 300,000 birds.

Baiada, a major Australian poultry producer, needs the road closed for the development application to proceed.

Tamworth Regional Council's general manager, Glenn Inglis, said the Department of Lands is responsible for the closing of unopened public roads.

The initial exhibition period for the A$10 million (US$8.8 million) development closed early November last year and a joint regional planning panel was to be convened this month to hear the matter.

The hearing is not expected until March.