Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has granted RLX Investment Company Pty Ltd a works approval to construct a new purpose- built saleyard between the Sunraysia and Western freeways southwest of Miners Rest.
The saleyard will have an annual throughput of 1.6 million sheep and 70,000 cattle.
EPA Development Assessments Manager Tim Faragher said the works approval application was thoroughly assessed by EPA and considered the views expressed by the local community and referral agencies.
“EPA received 180 submissions from the community during a consultation period that also involved several public meetings for the community to discuss the proposal,” Mr Faragher said.
“The key environmental issues raised by the public were about potential odour, noise, surface water and groundwater impacts of the proposal.
“The EPA works approval includes a range of conditions that must be met including, amongst other things, additional odour and dust emission controls, detailed environmental monitoring plans and for the company to engage with the community to keep them informed about the operation.”
Mr Faragher said EPA had determined that with the additional controls and works approval conditions, the environmental risk posed by the proposal was acceptable and complied with state environment protection policies and guidelines, which was why EPA had issued the company a works approval.
“Failure by the company to meet the conditions of the works approval would result in remedial notices being served on the site to ensure that no harm to the environment or impacts on local amenity occurred,” Mr Faragher said.
For further information, including public submissions and the company’s supporting documents, please visit: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/licences-and-approvals/public-participation/featured-applications/rlx-ballarat