Fiery debate about whether an outdoor pig farm should be allowed in Gannawarra Shire has culminated in a town hall meeting between councillors and protestors.
The meeting was an attempt to hear from objecting locals before councillors decide on the farm’s fate at their next council meeting.
About 20 objectors stood up and spoke, with an estimated 60 interested residents attending on Wednesday night, June 1, at the Koroop Hall.
One speaker was Audrey Dickins who lives in Campaspe Shire and has interests in a Gannawarra Shire property.
“The hall was packed. We had 22 people register to speak and put their view forward and I was one of them,” Ms Dickins said.
“Campapse Shire has got this great natural asset in the river and the question is why (Gannawarra Shire Council) would approve a large piggery so close to a Ramsar-listed site?”
The Gunbower Forest is listed as an internationally significant Ramsar site because of its status as the second largest river red gum forest in the world.
Ms Dickins said she was pleased with the town hall meeting.
“It allowed people to state their concerns in an open public way. At the end of the day it’s a council decision but hopefully this will help the council make an informed choice,” she said.
“We are not totally opposed to a piggery as such, but there are plenty of other places in the shire better suited for them.”
Gannawarra Shire councillor Garner Smith said he thought it was a very productive meeting.
“People stood up and said what they needed to say and it all went very smoothly,” Cr Smith said.
“I know there was a bit of apprehension from some people who thought it would’ve gotten unruly, but that wasn’t the case ... we’ve still got to meet with the applicants and that will give us a chance to work through a few things.”
Cr Smith said the overwhelming majority of objectors were concerned about the pig farm impacting negatively on the environment and ecotourism along the Gunbower Creek.
Cr Keith Link said the town hall meeting was a “good bit of democracy” that allowed everyone to be heard.
“They were all given three minutes to speak, but on the night we gave them five minutes and most of them used all five minutes,” he said.
Cr Link spent 40 years in the Leitchville pig industry but retired from that career more than a decade ago.
One Gannawarra Shire councillor — Ross Stanton — has abstained from all decision making regarding the pig farm, citing a conflict of interest because he lives close to the property.
The councillors will vote on the issue at the June 15 meeting, to be held at the Kerang Senior Citizens Clubrooms (169 Boundary St) at 10am.
All residents are welcome to attend.