Buffer swifty a bid to ruin me, says farmer

Andrew Mathieson
A Mount Duneed chicken farmer fears he could go bankrupt after planners mysteriously removed requirements for a buffer zone between his property and proposed residential development at Armstrong Creek.
Adrian Balog feared that his family farm would face a barrage of complaints when new residents move within 80 metres of his 200,000 chickens on the other side of Mount Duneed Road.
Mr Balog, who valued the 55-hectare property at $5 million, said removal of the buffer would not compel the property developer to buy out the farm.
He believed the low-lying, flooding-prone land would be unattractive to developers.
“If I had the buffer back it might force the hand of developers to buy me out but without it I’ll go broke,” Mr Balog said.
Last month the Independent revealed that planners had removed the traditional requirement for a 1000-metre buffer during the planning process.
Victorian Farmers Federation suspected the removal was deliberate.
City of Greater Geelong refused to explain the removal because the Armstrong Creek area, earmarked for 60,000 residents, was still going through planning processes.
Mr Balog said the fate of the farm was in limbo waiting for an independent panel to hand down its verdict on the Armstrong Creek plan.
Fifty-two-year-old Mr Balog bought the Connewarre farm two decades ago but feared he could be left destitute.
“I’ve worked very hard all my life and I’ve taken just two holidays,” he said.
“I think I’m going to lose everything just for the developers to push me under and forget about me.
“My family is distraught, my wife has lost weight and we have all been through so many nerves.”
Mr Balog said court decisions on disputes involving buffer zones had traditionally ruled in favour of farms.
But he expected eventual complaints from neighbours to Environment Protection Authority to force the closure of his farm.
“The only way I can see myself getting out of here is for the developers buying me out and me getting a chook farm somewhere else, one that’s already established,” Mr Balog said.
Mr Balog said he had “lost faith” in City Hall since Planning Minister Justin Madden seized more control from council.
A media adviser for Mr Madden was sacked earlier this week for an email proposing a sham consultation process to block a proposed Melbourne development.
“I don’t know who’s trying to move me on and destroy me, whether it’s the developers putting pressure onto the council or the neighbours,” Mr Balog said.
The developer of the Armstong Creek land adjacent to the chicken farm refused to comment.