Port Stephens Council has called for public feedback on a plan to allow development at least 500 metres from existing agriculture industries or at least 500 metres from the boundary of the lot containing an existing agricultural business.

The current minimum buffer zone under the rural residential policy is one kilometre.

It comes after west ward councillor Ken Jordan put forward a motion late last year to allow development at least 500 metres from existing chicken sheds or the boundary of the lot containing existing chicken sheds.

Mayor, Cr Ryan Palmer, and councillors Jaimie Abbott, Chris Doohan, Glen Dunkley, Ken Jordan, Paul Le Mottee, and Sarah Smith voted to put the plan on public exhibition last month. Councillors Giacomo Arnott, John Nell and Steve Tucker voted against it.

Nelsons Plains beef farmer Peter Manuel said a minimum one kilometre buffer zone would help residents and agriculture co-exist. 

NSW Farmers Association Poultry Meat Manager Ray Lee said development 500 metres from chicken farms increased the risk of residential complaints.

He said noise, dust and odour were the top three complaints councils received when development was too close to a farm. 

“A minimum one kilometre buffer zone is a better option – basically it helps to eliminate conflict. I’m not saying you won’t get any noise, dust or odour if you are a kilometre away but it helps to mitigate the risk.”

Submissions close at 5pm on Thursday, March 22. Give feedback at landusesubmissions@portstephens.nsw.gov.au