Update - Say No To Blantyre Farms In Harden

Thank you for signing our petition and your interest and support for our ‘Say No To Blantyre Farms In Harden’ campaign. We would confirm that the ‘Say No To Blantyre Farms In Harden group’ lodged two objections on behalf of this group and all supporters of this group, prior to the closure period for the public exhibition and submission period on Friday 5 February 2015. Our first objection included the number of petition signatures collected as at 5 February and the contents of the petition. Our second objection was a thorough and comprehensive response to all matters contained in the applicant’s Environmental Impact Statement. We can also confirm that a number of other organisations lodged similar comprehensive objections in keeping with their various areas of expertise. As was reported by the Wagga ‘Daily Advertiser’, Harden council was “overwhelmed” by the response from the public and the number of submissions it received during the public exhibition and submission period http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/3721727/piggery-opposition-on-high/ The nature of the Blantyre Farms DA is both a Designated and an Integrated development, and accordingly, the NSW planning process requires that the NSW Department of Planning & Environment had input into reviewing the development through the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Environment & Heritage, the Department of Primary Industries –Agriculture & Water, as well as all the submissions both for and against the DA. Because Blantyre Farms had failed to provide sufficient, adequate and accurate information, council wrote to the applicants on 11 February giving them 60 days to provide better and further particulars. This included information requests from council, EPA, OEH and DPI which was outlined in a 14 page letter. The requested better and further particulars will be reviewed when received from the applicants to determine if council can proceed with the compilation of a report and recommendations. It is important to note that councillors can make a decision which either agrees or disagrees with the council report and recommendations. We do not anticipate this matter will be presented at a Harden council meeting until April and possibly not until May 2016. We will continue to monitor and will update you when we have confirmed. We have continued to keep our petition open https://www.change.org/p/mayor-of-harden-shire-deputy-mayor-of-harden-shire-members-of-the-harden-shire-council-keep-blantyre-farms-cruel-intensive-pig-farming-out-of-harden because in the event this matter does go before a council meeting for decision, we will be addressing council during the available public forum sessions and will refer to the revised total number of petition signatures at that time. For this very important reason we are encouraging everyone to continue to share our petition and encourage all your friends and family to sign and likewise share and stay up to date with the ‘Say No To Blantyre Farms In Harden’ page https://www.facebook.com/Say-No-To-Blantyre-Farms-In-Harden-108958142816434/