Residents cry 'fowl' over sheds
FEATHERS are flying over a Cudgen landholder's construction of two giant free range poultry sheds housing 2000 laying hens, with plans to add another 10,000.
Tweed Shire Council plans to take landowner Dean Sikiric to court over the development after neighbours complained about the noise and smell of the chooks, which they say has forced them to lock windows.
The neighbours are also angry at alleged pollution of a nearby creek and a dam, and say dead chooks have been found on some of their properties.
But Mr Sikiric yesterday said the council should be protecting his right to farm, not trying to stop him.
“We are within the zoning, which is agricultural protection. I should be protected in doing what I am doing,” Mr Sikiric said.
“If we can't do our eggs in a rural zoning, where can we do it?”
One Cudgen Rd resident pleaded with councillors at the monthly council community access meeting late on Thursday to take swift action.
She said neighbours were worried that while the council went “through due process” they had to put up with the consequences.
“The noise and smell make it impossible to leave doors and windows open.
“It would be unbearable with the planned 12,000 birds,” she said.
