1.4.14 Commercial Stockyards, Saleyards and Holding Paddocks

In addition to the general assessment criteria for discretionary and non-complying activity resource consent applications, the following shall apply for Commercial Stockyards, Saleyards and Holding Paddocks.

1. Separation
   
   Council shall have regard to whether a minimum of 500 metres separation can be provided from a Residential or Business zone to mitigate the potential adverse effects of odour, noise and other nuisances can be provided or whether a lesser distance can mitigate all adverse effects and whether a minimum of 30 metres can be provided from ancillary buildings to such zones.

Explanation

The concentration of animals into stockyards and saleyards can result in adverse effects including concentrations of effluent aerosols and odour as well as excessive noise and traffic congestion for the term of the sale. Council's rules are based on Objectives 3.5.2.3, O1, O2 and O6 of the Amenity section as well as Objective 3.8.2, O1 concerning the maintenance of safe and efficient roading networks.

It is recognised that the separation distances will require larger sites and thereby incur costs on operators. The WRC’s rules on discharge permits will ensure that contaminants are adequately collected, treated and disposed of. The issues of stormwater, effluent aerosols and odour will be controlled through District Council rules. Distance can abate noise levels to a degree and such a measure is implemented in conjunction with the noise standards of Section 5 Performance Standards.

Sale times attract large numbers of vehicles as well as a significant proportion of stock trucks. The provisions of Section 9 concerning safe and effective accessways and on-site parking, loading and manoeuvring are also relevant to this activity.

The rule in relation to separation distances from the Residential or Business zones has not been extended to rural dwellings because it is perceived that such a rule would be unduly onerous on the development of stockyards and saleyards.

The character and amenity values of the rural zones includes the effects of pastoral farming and the consequential saleyard activities. Council considers that saleyards and stockyards are an integral part of rural life and that rural residents accept different amenity values to those persons in Residential and Business zones.

1.4.15 Intensive and Litter Poultry Farming

In addition to the applicable Assessment Criteria elsewhere in Section 1.4 and the Performance Standards in Section 5:

1. Intensive Farming
   
   
   1. Council may consider the provisions of Codes of Practice produced by farming groups such as the Pork Industry Board (1993).
      
      
      • To determine the appropriate separation of buildings from adjacent buildings and Residential zones. A minimum separation of 500 metres is anticipated or 100 metres per 700m2 of gross floor area whichever is the greater.
      • To assess the ability of the operation to internalise objectionable odours having regard to any separation that may exist.
      • To determine the appropriate measure for the disposal of solid and wastewater
      • To determine the appropriate level of landscaping
2. Litter Poultry Farming
   
   In addition to the applicable Assessment Criteria elsewhere in Section 1.4 and the Performance Standards in Section 5, Council shall consider the measures to be implemented to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects at or beyond the property boundaries having regard to the following:
   
   
   • No less than 500 metres separation is provided to a residential zone.
   • No less than 250 metres separation is provided on site to the property boundary. Such measurement is to be from the perimeter of the proposed and/or existing sheds (external walls) exclusive of spray irrigation areas.
   • Shed location and design, and the means of ventilation.
   • A topographical plan and the provision of information as to the prevailing weather patterns particularly wind patterns.
   • A Management Plan for the facility including:
     
     
     • Environmental objectives and targets, use of best practicable options, performance reviews, checklists.
     • Construction protocols.
     • Shed details including ventilation and litter management.
     • Waterway and feeding systems.
     • Harvest and cleanout, dead bird management.
     • Landscape planting and maintenance.
     • Wastewater and stormwater management.
     • Waste management and litter disposal.
     • Air quality and odour management.
     • Traffic noise and management.
     • Noise mitigation.
     • Hazardous goods, emergency and incident management.
     • Monitoring, maintenance, records and reporting.
     • Community liaision with adjoining neighbours.
     • Complaints systems and management including schedule of neighbouring properties and contact phone list.

 

Advice Note: That Council has a commitment to ensuring a high quality of feed is supplied by the supplier to the grower in order to reduce odours associated with litter poultry farming. Materials/ingredients that are used in the feed should be those that reduce the potential of the feed to produce an objectionable odour. An agreement between the Council and the supplier of the feed may be appropriate to specify feed content and quality.

 

3. Encroachment of Separation Distance onto Adjacent Land
   
   Council will consider the encroachment of the separation distance around Intensive and Litter Poultry Farms onto adjacent land holdings where that adjacent land owner and/or occupiers have voluntarily offered their written consent to the potential effects and where the applicant demonstrates that it has explained the implications of such consent and suggested that legal advice be obtained. Such consent may be recorded on the certificate of title in the form of a “No Complaints Covenant”.

Advice Note: In assessing the possiblility of adverse effects from odour, particulate matter, and wastewater discharges emanating from Intensive and Litter Poultry Farming, the Council shall concern itself with integrated land-use management and amenity impacts in terms of its functions under Section 31 of the Resource Management Act 1991, leaving regulation of the actual discharges to the Regional Council (as provided for under Section 30 of the Resource Mangement Act 1991).

Explanation

The District has experienced the adverse effects of poultry farms, hatcheries and piggeries and the District Plan's rules are intended to avoid, remedy or mitigate these adverse effects.

The rules are intended to allow Council to implement guidelines that have been prepared by each agricultural sector which has in depth knowledge of the performance of the activity.

It is considered that the more restrictive discretionary activity process is necessary to ensure that each proposal is fully assessed and all adverse effects are appropriately managed.