Fast-track call to hatch farm plan, promising 800 jobs

A $4 MILLION free-range egg farm could become the first tenant of a new intensive farming precinct to deliver hundreds of jobs on Geelong’s doorsteps.
But State Government must first fast-track power and gas supplies to the 4000-hectare precinct at Lethbridge, MP Simon Ramsay told state parliament this week.
“At the moment the precinct has neither, which is restricting its potential growth,” he said.
“I have also raised with the minister the need for uniform and suitable buffer zones that will not inhibit development but at the same time give nearby residents and business some protection from intensive farming operations.”
Mr Ramsay said the proposed egg farm needed a two-kilometre buffer, which would restrict operations in the precinct given its size.
But Inverleigh had a 500m buffer zone for poultry production in precincts less than 4000sqm, he said.
“I have asked the minister to meet with me and the Golden Plains Shire council to discuss how we might overcome some of these issues.”
The Independent has previously reported the precinct could create 800 jobs and inject $500 million into the regional economy annually.