May 6, 2004

Proten To Build $20 Million Poultry Farm In Australia
 

After getting approval from a state minister, a massive chicken farm producing 10 million birds a year will be built near Karuah, north of Newcastle, on the New South Wales central coast.

Despite strong community objections and opposition from Great Lakes Council, the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Craig Knowles, has approved the $20 million chicken farm.

Mr Knowles believes it will create 16 full-time jobs and six part-time positions.

New Zealand-based company Proten plans to build 40 ventilated chicken sheds on the site near Karuah, as well as effluent treatment ponds and feed silos.

The facility is expected to generate more than $25 million each year.

To ensure that the risk of disease and environmental impact are extremely low, the Minister says strict conditions will be enforced. However that has not satisfied Great Lakes mayor John Chadban.

"It's against the wishes of by far the majority of the community," he said.

"It's not what's desirable in that section of our shire. And it's a very black day for democracy again, where governments make the decision for local people."