In 2013, Kiama council received a DA for the construction of an abattoir on a Rose Valley Road property. 

Council determined the use was prohibited and unable to be approved under Kiama LEP 2011. 

A subsequent planning proposal lodged includes an abattoir and a 60-seat, licensed revolving restaurant. 

The applicants are Gerhard and Maria Baden of Schottlanders Wagyu. 

Last year, Kiama councillors resolved to endorse the planning proposal for “additional permitted” uses at the property to proceed to the Department of Planning and Environment for a Gateway Determination. The site is zoned as RU2 – Rural Landscape and E2 – Environmental Conservation.

The LEP does not permit an abattoir/livestock processing industry in any land use zone. A restaurant/café is not permitted in a rural zone.

This planning proposal doesn’t propose changes to the current zone, but seeks additional uses on the nominated site only.

Currently, the farm’s cattle are raised on-site, sent to an abattoir for slaughtering, with the carcass returned for processing and packaging in the existing on-site meat processing plant. 

Mrs Baden said the current distance associated with transporting their animals wasn’t viable from a business perspective. “The (proposed) facility is solely for our own animals, who are conceived, born and nurtured on the farm,” she said. 

The proposal went to the Department for the Gateway Determination, which they permitted in August. 

This enables public consultation and Kiama council to make the final determination. The applicants would be required to submit a DA to council. 

The Save Rose Valley group says they fear the environmental threat of an abattoir. The group includes Ken and Debra Sandy, whose property neighbours the Badens. 

“If this planning proposal is allowed, we are alarmed this would set a serious and dangerous legal precedent that could allow more abattoirs or any other totally unsuitable development (throughout the municipality),” Mrs Sandy said. “Data received confirms the land adjacent to the proposed site of this prohibited facility is a floodplain. The chemicals used to treat the effluent will flood the paddock, the land and waterways feeding into Werri Lagoon.”

Mr Sandy disputes the applicants’ claims that the number of animals being processed at the site would be limited to two per week. 

The applicants claim an on-site sewage treatment facility and effluent re-use scheme prepared will prevent smells or pollution of Werri Lagoon’s catchment.