A development application to build 17 frost fans on Myall Park almond farms has been met with "deep" concern from neighbouring properties.
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Coming before Griffith City Councillors for approval on Tuesday, the report touted many benefits for the property owner Select Harvests Ltd in combating crop losses from frosts.
Australian Frost Fans' Ben Daking, Select Harvests' Ben Brown, and Sonus Consultants' Chris Turnbull addressed council on behalf of the applicant, outlining the superior benefits for almond farming compared to sprinklers and helicopter hiring.
Mr Brown said the ASX-listed company had tried other methods of frost protection in recent years, and faced significant crop losses last year due to weather unpredictability using hired helicopters, and the unsuitability of sprinklers due to the clay ground and water run off.
Resident Sue Molyneaux, who lives near some of the proposed fan locations, highlighted inconsistencies with the report she received and the report on council's website.
She was one of four residents wrote "detailed" concerns to council, outlining noise and visual disruption ultimately impacting their lives and devaluing their properties.
The revised DA was able to be reviewed by residents last Thursday, giving them three business days to review the 87 page document.
Mrs Molyneaux outlined important differences, one of which was the difference in the distance from her boundary - one report said 528 metres away and the other 490 metres.
She also queried why pages 36 and 37 were missing.
"Griffith Council's outdoor [decibel] limit is 55. The reports say the reading from my property is 54... How can this be a correct reading when the distances in the reports are so different?" she asked.
She was pleased council decided to table the application a review of Griffith's policy was undertaken, as well as a comparison of a frost fan DA recently approved in Leeton.
Cr Doug Curran said this DA for Griffith "would set the precedent" making it "extremely important" to get right the first time.
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