Waurn Ponds Stabling and Maintenance Facility Planning Scheme Amendment GC 104
Date: 03/02/20 Author: Mike Stephens Version: Final Recipient/s: Ashurst Australia
Waurn Ponds Stabling and Maintenance Facility
Planning Scheme Amendment GC 104
Expert Witness Report Mike Stephens
Yendon a 96 Harbours Road, Yendon VIC 3352 I p 03 5341 6100 I f 03 5341 7630 I e [email protected] Casterton a PO Box 226, 32 Henty Street, Casterton, VIC 3311 I p 03 5581 2826 I f 03 5581 2746 I e [email protected] abn 63 093 095 875 I acn 093 095 875 I www.meridian-ag.com.au
1. Expert qualifications and experience - Michael (Mike) Richard Stephens
Mike holds a Diploma of Farm Management, and an MSc. He is an accredited advisor with Family Business Australia, is a Chartered Agricultural Professional (CAG) with the Ag Institute of Australia and is currently a PhD candidate studying Family Farm Business Succession. He is a Churchill Fellow (Farm Business Management), was awarded the inaugural Marcus Oldham College Excellence in Agriculture Award and is a Fellow of The Ag Institute Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Following experience as a Jackaroo, Stockman with New Zealand Loan, (Stock and Station Agency) and as a Snowy Mountains Scheme Worker, Mike graduated from Marcus Oldham and commenced working as a Property Manager in 1967. During his career as a property manager Mike managed properties running merino sheep and stud and commercial beef cattle.
From 1983 to the present day Mike has been a Director of Meridian Agriculture (formerly Mike Stephens and Associates - MS&A), which is a broad based agricultural consulting company, providing advice, training and services to farmers, agribusiness and government. The company and its affiliates have a team of twelve consultants plus support staff. From 1983 until 1994 as part of the services offered Mike acted as farm manager for two properties. The major enterprise in both properties managed was wool production from a self-replacing merino flock. One was intersected by the four lane Calder Highway and the Melbourne Bendigo railway. Mike is familiar with the issues related to moving sheep and machinery across such infrastructure .. The second property was a similar size to the property at 255 Reservoir Road Waurn Ponds. In addition, during the late 1980’s Mike had responsibility (as a consultant) for overseeing the redevelopment of a property a few kilometers from Reservoir Road at Gnarwarre.
Mike does not have the knowledge or experience to comment on the effect of possible changes to the hydrology of the area as a consequence of the proposed train stabling and maintenance facility.
2. Expert witness documents and declaration
I Michael (Mike) Richard Stephens of 96 Harbours Road, Yendon Vic 3352, have read, understand and agree to comply with the Planning Panels Expert witness code and agree to be bound by it; and
I declare that have made all inquiries which I believe are desirable and appropriate, and no matters of significance which I regard as relevant have, to my knowledge, been withheld from the Panel.
……………………………
Mike Stephens
Senior Consultant 28/1/2020
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3. Background
Rail Projects Victoria (RPV) is responsible for delivering the Regional Rail Revival (RRR) programs of work on behalf of the State of Victoria.
RPV wishes to establish a train stabling and maintenance facility (Proposed Facility) at Waurn Ponds. RPV has lodged a Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA GC 104) for the project and requested the Minister use powers to prepare, adopt and approve the PSA (GC 104). A panel hearing is planned for mid to late February 2020.
There have been many submissions and objections to the proposed facility at Waurn Ponds. Many of the submissions relate to the impact on agricultural production on the farm which would be acquired. Other submissions relate to the impact on the agricultural output of the district and of the impact in terms of noise, light and road traffic.
An agricultural impact assessment has been carried out by A. J. Pitt of Ag Challenge. This report assessed the impact of the Proposed Facility on the property – 255 Reservoir Road, Waurn Ponds. I have reviewed that report and also had a brief inspection of the property accompanied by the landowner, his daughter, his solicitor and RPV’s solicitor on 14 November 2019.
The residence and driveway of the property are shown in figure 1.
Figure 1: Residence and driveway of property at 255 Reservoir Road, Waurn Ponds
The family run a merino wool growing self-replacing flock of approximately 10,000 DSE’s1. A DSE is a standard unit used in southern Australia to compare the feed
1 See table Appendix1
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requirements of different classes of stock or to assess the carrying capacity and potential productivity of a given farm or area of grazed land.
The nature of the management of a self-replacing flock is that there are set operations carried out at various times during the year. The only sheep that are brought onto the property are rams. Those rams are joined to ewes for lambing which occurs annually. Sheep are shorn annually in November. In addition to the work involved in preparing sheep for lambing and shearing other husbandry procedures occur during the year. These procedures include crutching (shearing the wool from the breech of the sheep) and drenching (the application of medicines to ensure that internal parasites are controlled). In some flocks sheep are dipped (thoroughly soaked with chemical) to control external parasites. The nature of these operations require the sheep to be brought to the covered yards and / or shearing shed several times a year. Each time the sheep are brought to the shearing shed they need to cross the railway line.
The description of the business, and its operation, in the Pitt report is consistent with my understanding of the business and its operation.
The general layout of 255 Reservoir Road is shown in Figure 2 with the boundary marked in yellow. Note that the Geelong Warrnambool railway line intersects the northern end of the property running in a south westerly (approximately) direction. In addition to the land shown below the landowner leases a parcel of land to the east of the owned land.
I understand that the total grazing area is approximately 700 hectares of which 480 hectares is freehold and 220 hectares is leasehold. The property is subdivided into several paddocks but more importantly is made up of three ‘parcels’ of land which would be contiguous if they were not separated by roads. The leased land is a fourth parcel.
The parcels of land can be described as:
Central: which is dissected by the Geelong Warranbool railway line and lies between Reservoir Road (north), Bogans Lane (east) Mt. Duneed Road (south) and Pettavel Road (west).
South: which is on the southern side of Mt Duneed Road.
West: which is on the western side of Pettavel Road.
Lease: which is on the eastern side of Bogans Lane.
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Figure 2: Google image of the property
The majority of the infrastructure on the property, including the house, shearing shed, stock yards and silos, is situated to the north of the Geelong Warrnambool railway line. The covered yards and shearing shed are visible in Figure 3 and the majority of the infrastructure can be seen in Figure 4. Because of the location of the stock yards and shearing shed it is necessary to walk sheep across the railway line to the yards and shearing shed in order to shear and crutch them. Other husbandry tasks may be carried out at the shearing shed yards or at a second set of yards to the south of the railway line. As well as the need to move sheep and machinery across the railway line it is a matter of routine to move sheep across the roads (Bogans Lane, Mt Duneed Road, and Pettavel Road). These sheep movements may be for husbandry tasks or to ensure that paddocks are stocked appropriately to utilize the available feed.
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Figure 3: Covered sheep yards and shearing shed (photo taken from north)
Figure 4: Google image of part of the property where the majority of the infrastructure is located.
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The existing within property level crossing is shown in Figure 5. Note that there are presently no holding or forcing yards at this crossing (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Existing railway crossing. Photo taken from south, Farm sheds appear in the background.
4. My Understanding of the Request / Instructions
I have been instructed by Ashurst Australia to:
(a) Review the exhibited PSA GC 104 material relevant to your [my] area of expertise;
(b) Prepare an expert witness statement which addresses the matters set out in section 4.2 below.
(c) Identify any further information relevant to your [my] assessment, which you [I] require to complete your [my] expert witness statement.
(d) Appear as a witness at the hearing of the project.
The scope of expert witness statement requests that it:
(a) Assesses the agricultural productivity of the land that would accommodate the proposed Waurn Ponds Stabling and Maintenance Facility;
(b) Assesses the impact of the proposed Waurn Ponds Stabling and Maintenance Facility on the ongoing operation of the farm that is presently situated at 255 Reservoir Road, Waurn Ponds, and that is operated by and
(c) Identifies means by which the impacts of the proposed Waurn Ponds Stabling and Maintenance Facility of the productivity of the farm could be ameliorated;
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(d) Includes a brief section summarising the concerns raised in the Public Submissions in relation to agricultural impacts and your [my] opinion in response to those concerns; and
(e) Is compliant with the Expert Evidence Guide attached at Annexure A to this letter.
5. Assessment of the agricultural productivity of the land that would accommodate the proposed Waurn Ponds Stabling and Maintenance Facility
Overview
The farm is one of 149 specialist sheep farms in the Geelong District2 and is of slightly larger than average size.
The proposed facility has two stages of development. The stage 1 facility would occupy an area of approximately 11 hectares and would be 1,030 meters long and 150 metres wide.
Stage 2 of the facility is expected to occupy approximately an additional 50 hectares and would be approximately 720 metres long, 320 metres wide at its widest section and 160 metres at the narrowest.
The loss of 11 hectares of grazing land would have a minor impact that in no way jeopardises the future of the business. The impact would be too small to be noticeable on the productivity of the district. The loss of 61 ha of land in stage 2 will (as discussed below)have a greater, but still manageable impact on the business. Sixty-one hectares is approximately 13% of the owned land and 9% of the total land farmed.
2 Appendix 2 – ABS Geelong Region
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Figure 6: Google Image showing stages 1 (green) and 2 (white)
The loss of 61 ha is minor from a regional perspective and relatively minor from a local perspective. The loss of productivity to the region would be under 0.1%.
At the current stocking rate of 14.3 DSE ha the property will have a reduction in stock numbers (14.3 DSE’s ha & 61 ha) of 873 DSE.
Value of agricultural production (Geelong Region)
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) measures the Estimated Value of Agricultural Output from all regions of Australia. In 2019 the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported in relation to the Geelong region that:
In 2017–18, the gross value of agricultural production in the Geelong region was $495 million, which was 3 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in Victoria ($15 billion).
The Geelong region has a diverse agricultural sector. The most important commodities in the region based on the gross value of agricultural production were poultry ($111 million), followed by sheep and lambs ($98 million) and wool ($67 million). These commodities together contributed 56 per cent of the total value of agricultural production in the region.
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Figure 7: Value of agricultural production, Geelong region, 2017–18
Note: The graph shows only data published by the ABS. Some values were not published by the ABS to ensure confidentiality. The "Other commodities" category includes the total value of commodities not published as well as those with small values. Source : Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 7503.0, Value of agricultural commodities produced, Australia 2019
Number and type of farms
ABS data indicate that in 2016–17 there were 564 farms in the Geelong region with an estimated value of agricultural operations of $40,000 or more. The region contains 3 per cent of all farm businesses in Victoria.
Table 1: Number of farms, by industry classification, Geelong region, 2016–17
Geelong region Victoria Industry classification Number of % of Number of Contribution of region farms region farms to state total %
Sheep Farming 149 26.4 2,795 5.3 (Specialised) Beef Cattle Farming 111 19.7 5,642 2.0 (Specialised) Sheep-Beef Cattle Farming 55 9.8 1,283 4.3
Grain-Sheep or Grain-Beef 52 9.2 1,920 2.7 Cattle Farming Other Grain Growing 41 7.3 2,320 1.8
Horse Farming 35 6.2 604 5.7
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Geelong region Victoria Industry classification Number of % of Number of Contribution of region farms region farms to state total %
Vegetable Growing 24 4.3 513 4.7 (Outdoors)
Nursery Production (Under 19 3.4 128 15.1 Cover) Poultry Farming (Meat) 16 2.9 190 8.6
Dairy Cattle Farming 14 2.6 3,928 0.4 Other Crop Growing nec 11 1.9 265 4.1
Pig Farming 10 1.7 105 9.4
Other 27 4.7 2,168 1.2 Total agriculture 564 100 21,860 2.6
Note: Estimated value of agricultural operations $40,000 or more. Industries that constitute less than 1 per cent of the region's industry are not shown. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Farms in the table above are classified according to the activities that generate most of their value of production. Sheep farms (149 farms) were the most common, accounting for 26 per cent of all farms in the Geelong region, and 5 per cent of all sheep farms in Victoria.
Estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) is a measure of the value of production from farms and a measure of their business size. Around 41 per cent of farms in the Geelong region had an EVAO between $50,000 and $150,000. These farms accounted for only 6 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in 2016–17. In comparison, 17 per cent of farms in the region had an EVAO of more than $1 million and accounted for an estimated 67 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in the Geelong region in 2016–17.
Figure 8: Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Geelong region, 2016–17
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Note: Only farms with an EVAO of $50,000 or more in 2016–17 are included in these data. The scope of ABS Rural Environment and Agricultural Collections changed in 2015–16 to include only agricultural businesses with an EVAO of $40,000 or greater. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Source: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research-topics/aboutmyregion/farm- financial-performance-vic#performance-of-sheep-industry-farms
The figures reported from Australian Bureau of Statistics bring into perspective the minor effect of the loss of 61 hectares of agricultural land and of the reduction in the district stock capacity of 870 DSE’s. This is a such a minor reduction in the productive capacity of the Geelong region that it will not be noticed.
6. The impact of the proposed Waurn Ponds Stabling and Maintenance Facility on the ongoing operation of the farm that is presently situated at 255 Reservoir Road, Waurn Ponds, and that is operated by and
In this section two assessments of the impact of the installation of the facility are considered. The first is the impact of stage one and the second of stage two. The current decision procedure as to the safety of crossing is also discussed. In general these impacts have been raised in the Pitt Report. In both stages the most significant impact arises as a consequence of the major infrastructure on the property being separated from the greater part of the farm by the Geelong – Warrnambool rail line. The infrastructure includes the homestead, shearing shed, covered sheep yards and other farm buildings as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
In the public submissions there are several claims on the impact of the Proposed Facility which I consider are either overstated or invalid. Those claims are considered in section 10 of this report.
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The Current Decision Procedure (When it is safe to cross).
There are several occasions during the year when sheep need to be yarded for the landowner to carry out routine husbandry practices. As previously discussed these include shearing, crutching, drenching dibbing and other procedures. The majority of these procedures are carried out at the facilities on the northern part of the central block. Sheep need cross the railway line to move to and from these facilities. Farm machinery which is required on both sides of the railway line has to be moved across.
I understand that the current steps used by the property owner in deciding when it is safe for people and livestock to cross the railway line is;
1 Phone V-Line to ascertain the schedule of train movements.
2 Observe train movements as per the schedule
3 Check for oncoming trains in both directions.
4 Move stock or machinery close to the line, open the gates on both sides and move stock or machinery across the line and close the gates on both sides.
There is no reason why this procedure cannot be maintained at any stage during the construction or on completion of either of the proposed stages. The difference will be that to complete Step 3 (Check for oncoming trains in both directions) the property owner will need to stand nearer but safely clear of the railway line. As will be discussed further below the provision of stock yards on either side of the approach to the railway crossing will be important in allowing access to continue.
When sheep are being moved in a direction they want to go they move quickly in that direction. Examples are when they are being taken back to a paddock after being yarded, or moved to water when thirsty. But if they are being moved in a direction where they don’t want to go as a mob sheep do not walk in a straight line. As a mob sheep move in a continual circular motion called ‘ringing’. Moving sheep requires skill because the ringing motion of the mob can lead them in any direction. This occurs when part of the mob starts to break away. The challenges in moving sheep are minimised by the use of laneways.
Stage One
Assuming the landowners retain the use of the current within property railway crossing the establishment of Stage One the Proposed Facility will have a manageable impact on the farm business if the methods of ameliorating the impact, relevant to Stage 1 as shown in section Seven of this report are followed. The major impacts of stage one include:
The Proposed Facility will reduce the area of farming land there is a consequent loss in income or income potential which may lead to a loss of profit.
For the farm business to continue to operate it will be necessary to allow the free flow of livestock and machinery around the Proposed Facility. It is essential that livestock husbandry, pasture and cropping operations are conducted in a timely manner. If sheep need to be yarded to be drenched
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crutched or other husbandry operations there is usually a short time window when these operations need to occur.
If Stage 1 allows the continued use of the existing level crossing further impacts of Stage 1 will be:
Restricted vision at the existing railway crossing when moving sheep from the southern part of the property to the north. Currently there is unrestricted vision in both directions from both sides when approaching the railway line. Stage one will restrict vision to the east when approaching the line while travelling north. There will be no restriction of vision in either direction when standing within the railway line reserve but safe distance from the line. If this is a major concern to the landowner it can be managed by the installation of holding yards on both sides of the line. A description of the holding yards is provided in section Seven of this report
Loss of sight and security of land to the south east of the dwelling.
Issues associated with increased road traffic. Any increase in traffic along the relevant road would make the movement of machinery and livestock across roads more hazardous. The standard procedure when moving stock along or across roads is the erection of temporary signs. Consideration could be given to the installation of permeant fold ( up/down) signs
Large numbers of workers, light, sound and smell. This change, will not directly affect the livestock.
There is the possibility of some impact if fuel spillage, wash-down waste or other industrial materials are not contained within the area of the Proposed Facility. This possibility extends to unwanted materials entering the water table. These unwanted materials will need to be controlled in the proposed facility.
Stage Two
The establishment of Stage Two of the Proposed Facility will have a more significant [but still manageable] impact on the farm business. The importance of the free flow of livestock and machinery across the railway line cannot be overstated. Any obstacle which stops the free flow of livestock and machinery from that part of the property from where the major infrastructure is located would have a major impact. For that reason a new at grade within property level crossing will be essential. The crossing will require holding yards connected to laneways on both sides of the railway line. The impacts of the completion of Stage 2 of the Proposed Facility will be manageable if the methods of ameliorating the impact, as shown in section Seven of this report are followed.
A further loss of farming land with a consequent loss in income or income potential which may lead to a loss of profit.
An increase in the distance livestock and machinery have to travel from the southern parts of the property to the shearing shed and yards (on the north side) and the consequent increase in time taken. Time taken to cart in and feed out hay may also be increased.
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A further loss of sight and security of land to the south east of the dwelling.
Increased issues associated with increased road traffic. This could be managed as described for Stage 1
A further increase in the numbers of workers and associated light, sound and smell. This change, while not directly affecting the livestock.
The loss of 240 volt power for the electric fence energizer. Power can be supplied
The permeant interruption to the flow of surface water through the existing network of dams. Water can be piped under the Proposed Facility
The loss of water supply from the two dams which will be filled in to allow for the development of the Proposed Facility. The dams can be replaced
There is the possibility of further impact if fuel spillage, wash-down waste or other industrial materials are not contained within the area of the Proposed Facility. This possibility extends to unwanted materials entering the water table.
7. Means by which the impacts of the proposed Waurn Ponds Stabling and Maintenance Facility of the productivity of the farm could be ameliorated
The principal methods by which the Waurn Ponds Stabling and Maintenance Facility can be ameliorated include:
The provision of a suitable ‘at grade’ level crossing adjacent to the existing crossing on Pettavel Road. Consideration should be given to placing the crossing signal triggers at the furthest possible point from the crossing. This would allow the greatest possible warning time of advancing trains.
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Figure 9: A photo of the current level crossing on Pettavel Road Waurn Ponds
The construction of suitable holding yards connected to laneways to control sheep at the existing level crossing until the commencement of stage two and then at the new level crossing. A laneway will be required from the crossing to the sheds to the north. To the south a lane should be constructed to connect with the existing lane network. It should be noted that the existing crossing has been adequate without holding yards or being connected by a lane way to the existing crossing. A concept design is shown in Figure 10 and in more detail in Attachment 1. No attempt has been made in Figure 10 to show the position of a lane on the northern side of the crossing but a lane from the northern yards at the crossing to the existing sheds and yards will be required.
The replacement of dams which will be filled in to allow the construction of the facility.
The installation of a pipe to allow the flow of surface water from the northern section of the property under the proposed facility to the southern section of the property.
The provision of electricity south of the railway line. Electric fence energizers are low users of power and consideration could be given to the construction of a “telephone box” type shed south of the new facility drawing power, for the electric energizer, from the proposed facility. Alternatively provision could be made for the installation of two 50mm pipes under the line. One pipe would be required for the electric current and the other for an earth return. These pipes could be installed within the larger pipe described in 7.4.
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Figure 10: Google Image with the Proposed Facility boundary fences, existing and proposed laneways and livestock ‘paths’ and other improvements
The Bogan’s lane stock crossing which provides access from the home (Central) block to the lease block will be removed when stage 1 works commence. A new crossing point across Bogan’s Lane to the lease block will need to be established. This crossing point will require the identification of a suitable location with good visibility along Bogan’s Lane in both directions:
• The installation of double gates on both sides of the road.
• Some earthworks to and from the lane for good drainage.
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• Some internal fencing gateways to provide laneways to ensure easy stock management towards the crossing point from both directions.
Access for heavy vehicles which currently enter the southern part of the property from the north and head south across the line can be provided by the construction of a new entrance on Mt Duneed Road. A second set of gates (Figure 11) would allow B double truck / trailers to be completely off the road before the driver opens the gate. The existing gates would be retained and would remain in the open position except when livestock were being moved across the road.
Figure 11: Existing double gates onto Mt Duneed Road
8. Other measures which could be considered to reduce the impact of the proposed facility. The railway line dissected the Central Block when the ancestors of the current property owners purchased the property. The railway line has separated the majority of the farming land from the major infrastructure and the owners have managed the flow of livestock and machinery across the railway line via the within farm crossing.
A preferable solution for the property owners would be to move all the major farm infrastructure or duplicate it, south of the railway line, on the Central Block. This would reduce or eliminate the need for livestock and machinery to be moved across the railway line. In particular the following could be considered.
The duplication, near the hayshed to the south of the rail line, of the existing covered stock yards.
The purchase and installation of silos (2 X 25 Tons).
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The feasibility of moving the existing shearing and hay sheds should also be explored. In my experience although they may require some dismantling farm buildings are moveable.
9. The Ag Challenge Agricultural Assessment (Pitt)
In general the discussion points and conclusions in the Ag Challenge Agricultural Assessment Report (Pitt Report) are sound and in general I concur with Pitt’s conclusions.
In the absence of other financial livestock and production data the figures used in the Pitt Report have been used in this report. In particular the livestock numbers and farm area used in this report are taken from the Pitt report. In considering the longer term issues, I agree with Pitt’s assessment, in 5.1 of his report wrote;
“It is both practical and feasible for this farming operation to continue with key farm infrastructure on one side of the rail storage and works area and the main grazing areas of the farm on the other.”
Where I differ from Pitt is in his assessment of the overall impact. Pitt asserts in 3.2 of his report that there will be “a very substantial impact on farm productivity and net farm income”. I consider that there will be a reduction in farm productivity as a result of the complete proposed facility. However the reduction in stock and capacity is in the order of 10%. Whether 10% is very substantial is a matter of opinion but the reduction in area is not likely to be so damaging to the business that it cannot successfully continue.
10. Issues Raised In Public Submissions
I have read the public submissions and there are a number of issues raised in those submissions upon which I am qualified to comment. Many issues raised by submitters in relation to the impact to the farm are consistent and most of these concerns are addressed above. However in this section I have sought to respond to specific submitters where considered relevant These include:
Submission 42 .
Concern was raised that it will be difficult to move sheep around the Proposed Facility. I consider the situation will be manageable if appropriate infrastructure is built at a new within property, at grade, railway line crossing.
Submission 45
In this submission concerns were raised that sudden noise could cause animals to react and put people in danger. A specific was made to the likelihood
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of animals, particularly bulls, being ‘spooked’ by sudden noise. While this is possible I consider it unlikely. I have worked cattle, including bulls in yards in many situations. These include while jackhammers were in operation nearby. While noisy building procedures were occurring and when the yards we were working in were struck by lightning. Although cattle reacted they posed no more danger to stockman than is normally the case.
Concerns in submission in the relationship between livestock health and stress are noted. In my experience livestock adapt quickly to their surroundings and will soon adjust to the new environment.
Submission 51
Contrary to the claims made in submission 51, in my opinion:
The impact on agricultural land is minimal.
It is feasible to provide safe livestock and machinery access across the rail line.
The line of sight issues can be managed.
Heavy vehicle access can be provided from Mt Duneed Road.
If a new crossing cannot accommodate farm machinery access can be provided to the existing crossing on Pettavel Road.
The increase in the cost of feeding is overstated
The maximum increase in travelling distance via the proposed crossing is 1.2 km. The extra time involved to move sheep the extra distance will vary according to many factors but up to one hour should be allowed. If sheep are allowed to ‘drift’ unattended in a laneway the extra labor involved is minimal. The extra distance is manageable and if sheep are allowed to ‘drift’ unattended in the proposed laneways in some cases the time taken could be reduced
I know of no evidence which shows that the proposed facility is likely to cause spontaneous abortion, or injury to stock which are forced and become cast in fences. Nor do I consider that there will be long term effects on grazing behavior.
11. Summary
The Proposed Facility, if built, will have a negative impact on the farming operation. That impact can be reduced by:
Appropriate investment of the proceeds of the income from the acquired land.
The construction of a new ‘at grade’ within property level crossing with warning light triggers at the greatest possible distance from the crossing
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The construction of forcing and holding yards on both sides of the new crossing.
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12. Appendices
The livestock numbers, DSE’s and stocking rates
The livestock numbers (from Pitt) on the farm, DSE ratings and stocking rates are shown in table 2.
Table 2: stock numbers and DSE ratings
Stock numbers & DSE ratings
DSE's on DSE/ha (700 Stock No. DSE rating ha) Farm Ewes 3500 1.8 6300 Wethers 2950 1 2950 Lambs 1600 0.33 528 Rams 110 2 220
Total 8160 9998 14.28
The stocking DSE’s per ha and EBIT from the LFMP South West Victoria and the DSE’s for the Farm are shown in table 3. The farm DSE rate is very close to the average of LFMP.
If the stocking rate on the land which would be acquired for the Proposed Facility is 14.3 DSE / ha is the same as the average stocking rate of the land currently stocked by the business then the reduction in the DSE carrying capacity over the whole farm is 14.3 X 61 ha or 873 DSE.
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Livestock Farm Monitor Project – Victoria 2017-18
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