mmg.com.au

Plans are now before Greater Shepparton City Council that clearly show a ‘‘no go’’ zone around the broiler farm that is imposed over adjoining properties.

As well as opposing the odour and other potential negative impacts of the farm itself, Murchison Action Group president Jan Dunlop said last week the overlay would limit the use of what farmers or neighbouring businesses can develop on their own land.

‘‘Everyone will cop it,’’ Ms Dunlop predicted.

‘‘A broiler far is smellier than an egg farm.’’

The property in question, Kentdale on the old Goulburn Valley Hwy, was sold at auction earlier this year for more than $2million.

Opponents of the broiler farm say it is prime agricultural land. Nearby are cropping, cattle and horse farms and a vineyard; one nearby resident who didn’t wish to be named said after attending the property auction it had been assumed that a farmer or vigneron would work the property.

She said it had come ‘‘completely out of left field’’ that anyone would want to develop a ‘‘stink industry’’ in that location.

Ms Dunlop said a broiler farm beside a vineyard and only 1300m over the river from another vineyard and restaurant, Longleat, was ‘‘not socially acceptable’’.

A petition to halt the broiler farm development has received overwhelmingly positive response from Murchison and Murchison East locals.

‘‘We are prepared to go all the way to fight this,’’ Ms Dunlop said.