Sustainable Animal Industries - Planning Reforms

The Victorian Government recently announced new animal industry planning reforms in order to remove ambiguity - balancing industry growth, environmental protection and community amenity.

The reforms will bring welcome change and clarity to a range of animal production systems.

The reforms will come into effect when they are gazetted in September 2018.

A full outline of the reforms can be found here.

Key reforms include:

• New land use terms and definitions:

• Grazing animal production

• Intensive animal production *

• Cattle feedlot *

• Pig farm *

• Poultry farm *

• Broiler farm *

• Poultry Hatchery * * indicates Permit required land use

• Animal Production is defined as “land where farm animals are kept or bred for the production of livestock, eggs, fibre, meat, milk or other animal products”.

• Grazing animal production: Land used for animal production where the animals’ food is obtained by directly grazing, browsing or foraging plants growing on the land. It includes emergency, seasonal and supplementary feeding.

• Intensive animal production: Land used for animal production where the animals’ food is imported to them from outside the immediate building, enclosure, paddock or pen. It does not include: an abattoir or sale yard; or grazing animal production, pig farm, poultry farm or poultry hatchery.

• Introduction of risk-based planning controls – farms that satisfy the criteria for Low density mobile outdoor pig and poultry farms qualify for a simplified planning application process, exemption from notice and third party review.

The reforms have been developed through consultation with industry bodies, local government and community members. They have been developed with industry best practice, biosecurity, animal welfare, environmental protection and amenity impact in mind.

It is especially important for all landholders who keep pigs to be aware of the impacts of these reforms as all land where pigs are kept will require a planning permit.

The Victorian State Government has announced a $450,000 support program for existing small pig and poultry farms which will include workshops and grants to help producers prepare their planning permit applications.

For more information on how these reforms will impact your animal production system, please visit: http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/2018-planning-reform