TO: Mareeba Shire Council
FROM: Kuranda Region Planning Group
DATE: 27 April 2017

Dangerous pesticides used by agricultural concerns in the middle of rural residential Koah

Dear Council

We ask Council to deal with the conflict that has been created by rezoning rural land to rural residential land in Koah and answer the following questions:

How is Council going to deal with this conflict which both the MSC 2004 plan and the MSC 2016 plan clearly intended to avoid?

How is Council planning to protect residents from the impacts of dangerous spray drift?

Does the MSC 2016 plan have the same provision for a 300 buffer zone between agricultural and non agricultural use as the old 2004 plan? If not can that be fixed as farm chemicals are still just as dangerous?

How is council going to regulate application of chemicals by plane in the Shire?

Agricultural concerns are now located in rural residential zoned areas because last year, zones were changed from rural to rural residential in Koah.

These are businesses that use chemicals applied by machines (even planes) in the middle of new rural residential areas. For example, this is happening right next to Koah community hall where a new playground for children is planned.

These chemicals include Chlorpyrifos (http://www.drexchem.com/products/MSDS/Chlorpyrifos%204E-AG%20MSDS.pdf ) and Lanate/ Methomyl ( http://fmccrop.com.au/wp-content/uploads/PDFs/Methomyl%20225%20Insectcide%20MSDS.pdf) both acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (often abbreviated AChEI) or anti-cholinesterase (nerve poisons) similar to Sarin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarin ).

That means if overdosing occurs, the symptoms are the same as with Sarin.

The MSC 2016 plan says that cropping is only self assessable in rural residential areas if pesticides and herbicides are applied by hand or hand powered spray equipment. We assume this is to protect neighbouring properties from dangerous spray drift.

The MSC 2004 plan also says:

‘PS2.2

Non agriculture or agriculture-intensive uses which adjoin any agriculture or agriculture-intensive uses are protected from spray drifts by the maintenance of a separation distance of 300 metres between the agriculture or agriculture-intensive uses and the non agriculture or agriculture-intensive uses.’

By rezoning an area with existing agricultural properties from rural to rural residential, Council is now putting a growing neighbouring population at potential harm.

Another Ag-business, still at a developmental stage, is now also located in the rural residential area due to the rezoning. Ordinarily that business is not compatible with the rural residential zone code and would be classed an impact assessable development if a development approval was sought now (there are potential negative impacts on the community to consider).

How is Council going to deal with this conflict which both the MSC 2004 plan and the MSC 2016 plan clearly intended to avoid?

How is Council planning to protect residents from the impacts of dangerous spray drift?

Does the MSC 2016 plan have the same provision for a 300 buffer zone between agricultural and non agricultural use as the old 2004 plan? If not can that be fixed as farm chemicals are still just as dangerous?

How is Council going to regulate application of chemicals by plane in the Shire?

Yours

Kuranda Region Planning Group

FROM: Mareeba Shire Council
TO: Kuranda Region Planning Group
DATE: 2 May 2017

Download PDF Version: MSC-Reply-2-APRIL-2017-201705041307

Dear Sir/Madam

MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICAL USE BYAGRICULTURAL LAND USES

Thank you for your email correspondence of 27 April 2017 in which you raise concerns regarding the use of chemicals in agricultural operations.

I provide the following responses to your questions:

0 How is Council going to deal with this conflict which both the MSC 2004 plan and the MSC 2016 plan clearly intended to avoid?

The Mareeba Shire Council Planning Scheme – July 2016 is not retrospective and all lawfully established land usesare able to continue irrespective of any zoning changes.

Council will continue to receive and assess all applications for assessable rural land uses.

0 How is Council planning to protect residents from the impacts of dangerous spray drift?

Please refer to the attached extract from the Queensland Government’s Business Queensland website. This website provides extensive information on which government agencies are able to assist should chemical misuse occur.

Mareeba Shire Council is not the lead agency in such cases, however we will assist for chemical odour nuisance.

0 Does the MSC 2016 plan have the same provision for a 300 buffer zone between agricultural and non-agricultural use as the old 2004 plan? If not can that be fixed as farm chemicals are still just as dangerous?

No, the Mareeba Shire Council Planning Scheme – July 2016 does not specify an acceptable minimum buffer width.

0 How is council going to regulate application of chemicals by plane in the Shire?

Council will continue to receive and assess all applications for assessable rural land uses. Where relevant to the proposed development, Council will assess it against Performance Outcome Po10 of the Rural Activities Code which requires the applicant to provide an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). One of the aspects that the EMP would be required to address is the use and storage of chemicals and pesticides’.

Should you require any further information, please contact Council’s Senior Planner, Brian Millard
on the above telephone number.

Yours faithfully
PETER FRANKS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mareeba Shire Council