As many of you are aware, we submitted a Development Application to the SCRC in November 2012 to diversify our 105ha of farming land in West Cooroy to include chicken growing sheds to grow chickens for Inghams, using the chicken litter to feed our existing avocado orchard. (You can read about the project at milligansfarms.com.au). This area is zoned “Rural Pursuits” NOT residential.

Two and a half years after the initial meetings, the application went to SCRC in November 2013, having been recommended for refusal by the council planning staff. The then SCRC was very supportive of the project but asked for additional information to be provided.

However, at the December meeting they ruled that it was a matter to be decided by the Noosa Council, given the de-amalgamation and formation of the new Council in January 2014. In February 2014 we met with the Noosa Council planners (who were the same planners who had represented the SCRC prior to de-amalgamation) who requested further expert reports regarding traffic, odour, dust and amenity. This was an enormous task and we presented this further information to the planners on 31 July this year.

We found out yesterday, that in spite of the information provided and the fact that we had reduced bird numbers (according to RSCPA best practice) and agreed to remove all bird waste from the site (thus removing one of the main benefits of this project) the council planners have still recommended this project for refusal.

The Noosa Councillors will make the final decision on the 25th of this month at 6pm at the Noosa Council in Tewantin.

Throughout this lengthy process, a small but vocal minority in the surrounding area with time on their hands have worked hard to lobby councillors and the community through web pages, social media and direct contact to stop this project happening. So far they have managed to cause many delays and a lot of heartache and unhappiness to our family.

We are proud farmers who have farmed this property for nearly 45 years. We have never caused any negative impact on the environment and have always been aware of the landholdings both small and large around us. We will continue to do so into the future as we now have the fourth generation of our family working with us.

After some early misrepresentation by local media, we chose to let things run their course without any further public comment. Now however, I am asking you to support us by signing the petition attached to this link. We don’t have much time, but it would be great to be able to show the Noosa Council and the Noosa people that many of you support us and would like to eat food grown locally and ethically. If you believe that existing farmers who derive their income from their land should be allowed to diversify and continue farming, please sign the petition and pass it on to anyone who feels the same as you.

Your support is appreciated greatly by the Milligans.