MILLIGAN’S
CHICKEN MEAT
FARM
136 Top Forestry Road,
Ridgewood
MCU12/0184
Background
 The
Milligan family has been farming
on this 105.02 ha property at
Ridgewood for 40 years
 The
 The
property cannot be subdivided
applicant attended information
sessions about the draft Sunshine
Coast Planning Scheme where he was
advised the land was suitable solely for
farming
Background continued
Background continued

The property has previously been used for farming
cattle, citrus, mangoes and sapotes

The applicant has an existing terraced avocado
orchard on 60 ha of the property with land
available for further plantings

The applicant currently employs 7 permanent staff
and up to 90 casual staff depending on seasonal
requirements
Background continued

The applicant has a proven track record in environmentally
friendly, sustainable farming and is fully SILLIKER certified
and maintains HACCP based programs as a skilled
practitioner

The applicant currently supplies local markets, domestic
markets and exports to Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong,
and is seeking to diversify to provide a more stable source
of income throughout the year

The applicant has passed a lengthy and rigorous screening
process to gain approval to be an Inghams Enterprises
contractor and has visited existing productive and ethical
operations to validate the addition of this project to their
farming operation
The Application

An application was submitted to the Sunshine
Coast Council on 14/11/2012

The applicant is seeking to establish poultry growth
sheds, which will occupy only 1.3% of the property,
facing state forest on the western boundary

This project will allow for actual vertically
integrated farming on the property, with waste to
be used on the existing orchard as an asset-based
supplement
The Application

The applicant is seeking to build eight sheds
100-110m long, 16.5m wide and 3.15m high (at the
apex), which would be screened by vegetation

The site includes a full landscape plan with design
to be overseen by curators (attached)

The sheds and surrounds would be kept in pristine
condition, in accordance with strict biosecurity,
hygiene and ethical requirements under the
contract with Inghams Enterprises and their
auditing process
Example of shed structure
Economic benefits

$10-12 million would be invested into this
project if approval is granted

The applicant will use local tradespeople and
suppliers during construction

Additional 6-8 permanent jobs for locals on
completion in maintenance, supervision,
administrative positions along with additional
casual labour.
Animal Welfare

The birds would be transported to the site as
one or two-day old chicks

They would be housed in state of the art
temperature-controlled, night/day conditions,
receiving high quality feed and regular
exercise and continuous monitoring

Exercise, quality feed and water are essential
to produce a high quality product
Shed interior
Animal Welfare

The conditions would be consistent, as per
Inghams Enterprises requirements, with FREPA
standards (www.frepa.com.au) and the National
FSANZ standards (www.foodstandards.com.au)

Stocking densities are strictly controlled and can
never exceed the standard. Overstocking is
counterproductive.

Demand in Australia is approximately 2 million
chickens per day and growing.
Environmental Impact

Site clearing to be offset by re-planting elsewhere on
the property previously under mango and citrus
plantings

Independent assessments have found there would
be no impact on the environment or local waterways

According to Inghams Enterprises
(www.inghams.com.au), “Chicken production has a
small environmental footprint compared to other
land-based animal production systems such as beef,
pork and eggs.”
Traffic Impact

Traffic study was undertaken as part of the
application. Two points on the road were
highlighted and will be addressed

The applicant has been trucking commodities
in and produce out of the property for more
than 40 years

The assessment found there would be an
increase in vehicle movements of less than 5%
Government requirements

The application is consistent with the planning
scheme

The applicant has submitted detailed,
independent environmental, stormwater and
traffic impact assessments by qualified
professionals

The applicant has complied with all council
and state government requirements
Opposition… and myths
A small number of poeple have been running a
concerted campaign against this application,
much of which is based on misinformation.
It includes false allegations that:
 The birds would be subject to inhumane
conditions and would need to be ‘debeaked’ due to cramped conditions

The birds would be caged and treated
inhumanely
More myths

It would involve the use of steroids, hormones
and intensive use of antibiotics

The farm would be harmful to the
environment and local waterways due to
waste runoff

The farm would have a significant impact on
local roads which are not suitable for this type
of vehicle movement
Summary

Seeking to diversify and continue farming
operations on an existing farming property

Proven track record in sustainable,
environmentally friendly farming
practices and food production

Application is consistent with the planning
scheme

Significant investment in the local economy
Summary continued

Jobs to be created during construction and
on completion

Complies with all council and state
government requirements

No impact on the environment, health or
visual amenity

Minimal traffic impact
The End
Any Questions?