THE MOST controversial proposed development facing the region looks to have been thrown into limbo as the Hilltops Council is poised to wipe their hands of the Harden Piggery.
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An independent hearing and assessment panel appears slated for one of the Riverina’s most contentious issues ever, according to council’s agenda for last night’s meeting.
Lisa Ryan, who has spearheaded the campaign against the Blantyre Farms Harden establishment, applauded council’s move to delegate the responsibility onto specialists.
“We think it’s very sensible for council to acknowledge that it is a specialised area of planning and that a panel of experts would be more qualified to make a decision,” she said.
“From day one, we’ve fought the piggery with concerns for animal welfare, the environment and the health of the public the workers inside these intensive sweatshops. It’s a step in the right direction for us to prevent this cruel torture.”
The potential $12 million piggery development would look to hold a maximum capacity of 25,113 pigs.
But the proposal was embroiled in controversy after a petition opposing the development gathered more than 25,000 signatures.
Detractors cited animal cruelty and mistreatment as one of their biggest concerns.
They’re thrashed around to the point where they rip their own hooves off trying to escape the torture and slow death,” Ms Ryan said.
“They have the same feelings as dogs and pets.”
The panel’s findings will be returned to council staff where they will be required to compile a report and make a recommendation.
General manager of policy at Australian Pork Deb Kerr said the concerns of animal activists should be taken through a different channel.
"The application before the panel is in relation to a piggery development, and should consider the relevant matters for development such as environmental impacts, and the amenity of neighbours."
"There are other more appropriate avenues, such as the RSPCA, for animal welfare or other members of the community’s concerns."
It comes after opposition to the proposed Blantyre Farms piggery reached an all time high after it was hit with the largest number of complaints on record.
More than 95 per cent of readers opposed the piggery in a poll.
