AS debate continues over the merits of the proposed $38 million goat abattoir at Blayney, Millthorpe resident Dr John Shepherd wants Blayney Shire Council to ensure residents won’t be put at risk of catching Q Fever as a result of the development.
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Speaking at Monday’s Blayney Shire Council meeting Dr Shepherd said he sympathised with council whose job it was to promote Blayney as “a good, prosperous place for business and employment” while protecting the environment and ensuring it was a good place to live.
However Dr Shepherd said having worked as a rural health practitioner for many years he was familiar with Q Fever and was willing to assist Blayney Shire Council avoid the problems faced by other councils who had allowed the construction of a feral goat abattoir near a town or city.
Dr Shepherd said he had concerns regarding the operation of the abattoir, including the transportation and housing of the goats, the disposal of waste by-products, the infectious nature of Q Fever and the close proximity of the proposed abattoir to residents and businesses.
“The Queensland Q Fever guidelines make it clear that no Q Fever-risk abattoir should be built within 1000 metres of a residence,” he said.
Dr Shepherd said if Blayney council continued to support the proposal they were “placing the health, longevity, and even lives of some of your community at risk, for doubtful short-term benefit.”
Dr Shepherd said the reason he addressed council was to convince councillors and staff the Blayney SeaLink Industrial Estate was the wrong site for the development.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au
