. , 313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019 r----..-- MIO~COAST COUNCIL . - 2 APR 2019 RECORDS Statement of Environmenta Effects (SEE) Proposal for Mid Coast Council approval for: (i) Construction of a shed for a robotic dairy (ii) Installation of an on-site dairy effluent system (iii) Installation of an on-site sewage system Lot 2, DP 558790 Prepared for: Myall River Pastoral Company Prepared by Nick Bullock and Associates I February 2019
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019 r----..--
.
MIO~COAST COUNCIL .
- 2 APR 2019
RECORDS
Statement of Environmenta
Effects (SEE)
Proposal for Mid Coast Council approval for:
(i) Construction of a shed for a robotic dairy
(ii) .
Installation of an on-site dairy effluent system
(iii) Installation of an on-site sewage system
Lot 2, DP 558790
Prepared for:
Myall River Pastoral Company
Prepared by
Nick Bullock and Associates I February 2019
313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company
CONTENTS
1. Overview
2. Background
3. Existing and proposed infrastructure
4. Justification
5. Siting and integration
6. Other considerations.
Figures
1. Farm layout
2. Existing dairy
3. Proposed dairy shed ........................ (attached to report)
3.1 AOl - Sketch layout
3.2 A02 - Groundfloor Plan
3.3 A03 - Elevations 1
3.4 A04 - Elevations 2
3.5 OZ1811 4VMS’PL - Equipment floor plan
4. Proposed dairy effluent system ....... (attached to report)
4.1 Effluent infrastructure
4.2 Effluent reuse areas
4.3 Solids trap
4.4 Cross section of ponds
Feb 2019
Page 1
2
’4
9
11
24
3
5
5. Flood plans
5.1 Existing dairy 12
5.2 Proposed robotic dairy 13
6. Interpretation of soil sample for pond 14
7. Buffers: dairy, solids trap, manure storage,
effluent pond 18
8. Buffers: solid and liquid reuse area 23
313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company
Tables
1. Estimated costs
2. Interpretation of soils sample
3. Soils and landform suitability
4. Buffers: dairy shed
5. Buffers: Solids trap and manure storage areas
6. Buffers: effluent ponds
7. Buffers: Reuse areas
8. Vehicle movements
9. Water requirements
ANNEX 1 .
Soil test results and interpretation
1. Se018/043/1 & 2
2. -Se017/177Rl
3. Soil test interpretation: Se018/043/1&2
4. Soil test interpretation: Se017/177Rl
Feb 2019
8
10
15
19
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22
24
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
1. Overview
This proposal covers a new dairy and an on-site effluent disposal system located at 313-
317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah, NSW.
The proposal is submitted on behalf of Myall River Pastoral Company operated by John
and Kay Smith.
There are a number of components to this proposal:
. the construction of a shed to operate a robotic dairy for up to 280 milkers
. the installation and management of an on-site dairy effluent management
system for the dairy and holding yards
. the installation of an on-site sewerage management system for a toilet and
shower in the proposed dairy shed
The Smiths are proposing to construct and operate a robotic dairy for up to 280 cows on
the site. The dairy will be off-grid with sufficient solar PV panels, batteries and diesel
back-up. .
This report covers the potential environmental impacts of the proposal.
Two separate reports detail the proposed on-site effluent management systems:
. The dairy Effluent Management System Report details how the proposed dairy
and effluent infrastructure have capacity for up to 280 milking cows;
o this report is submitted with the DA.
. The on-site sewerage management system details the system for the toilet and
shower at the proposed robotic dairy.
o This report will be submitted asap after the DA application
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
2. Background
Myall Pastoral Company owns two lots in the Bulahdelah area, both classified as RU2
Rural Landscape.
. Lot 2 DP 558790, total area 458.89 Ha
. Lot 2 DP 615391, total area 371.11 Ha.
This proposal refers to Lot 2 DP 558790. This lot is naturally divided into 2 areas by a
50m high ridge covered with natural vegetation:
. The area to the" west of the ridge has an existing operational dairy along
Cabbage Tree Road. There is one dwelling on this portion of the Lot
. The area to the east of the ridge has 3 rural dwellings and is the site for the
proposed robotic dairy.
All dwellings on Lot 2 DP 558790 have on-site sewerage management systems approved
by Great Lakes Council.
The proposed robotic dairy will be located at 313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah, NSW
2423.
The property is well suited to a dairy enterprise with high rainfall, productive soils and
flat to undulating topography.
Figure 1 shows the land use for both Lots.
. The existing dairy is operated with a milk platform of 120Ha and runs 200 cows
through a 10 a-side swing-over dairy shed with its own existing dairy effluent
system.
o The existing dairy effluent system comprises a trafficable solids trap and
2 effluent ponds. Solids from the solids trap and liquid from the 2nd
effluent pond are spread over pastures.
. The proposed robotic dairy milking platform covers a total of 116 ha.
. There is approx. 113 Ha of native vegetation on Lot 2 DP 558790. This will not be
impacted by the proposed development.
. On Lot 2 DP 615 391 there are approx. 88 Ha available for grazing and approx.
283 Ha native vegetation.
The proposed robotic dairy shed is approx. 1.5km from Bulahdelah as the crow flies, and
3.5km upstream of the Myall River/ Crawford river junction.
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
Figure 1: Farm Layout
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
3. Existing and proposed infrastructure
3.1 Existing dairy
The existing dairy has been operational since 1960’s and improvements have been
made over the years:
. The existing milking shed was built in 1985
. The dairy effluent system was upgraded to the current system in about 1995 to a
design prepared by the Department of Primary Industries.
The dairy operates 7 days a week. Dairy operations include milking, paddock work,
delivery of feed and supplies, movement of cattle.
The existing dairy is operated over an area of 120Ha and runs 200 cows through a 10 a-
side swing-over dairy shed with its own dairy effluent system.
. The effluent system comprises a trafficable solids trap and 2 effluent ponds.
Solids from the solids trap and liquid from the 2nd effluent pond are spread over
pastures.
The dairy currently employs the equivalent of 4 full time staff equivalents.
The existing dairy shed operates up to 200 cows all year. . Cows are milked twice per day. Normal milking times are:
05:00am - 9:00am in the morning
02:30pm - 5:30pm in the afternoon
. Actual milking times may vary depending on farm workload or in case of
breakdowns or emergencies on the farm.
. Prior to milking, cows are moved via gravellaneways to the concrete holding
area at the dairy
. The purpose of the concrete holding yard is to capture manure in the effluent
system.
. The milking shed, plant and concrete holding yard are washed clean after each
milking. This takes up to half an hour after milking.
. All effluent is treated in the effluent system that was designed by DPI.
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
3.2 Proposed robotic dairy
3.2.1’ Proposed shed for robotic dairy
The proposal is to construct a new robotic dairy shed on the eastern part of Lot 2 DP
558790.
The dairy will be constructed in 2 stages:
o Stage 1: 3 robots will be installed, milking up to 210 cows.
o Stage 2: an additional robot will be installed to give a total of 4 robots, milking up
to 280 cows.
.
The plans for the proposed shed to be constructed for the robotic dairy are detailed in
Figure 3 attached to the DA, and includes plans and elevations.
3.1. Sketch view
3.2. Ground floor plan
3.3. Elevations 1
3.4. Elevations 2
3.5. Layout of equipment in shed
The shed will be a single story steel frame building with metal clad sandwich wall panels.
The shed will have a sloping skillion roof and be 6.977m high at its highest point. Solar
PV panels will be located on the roof.
In a robotic dairy, milking cows voluntarily move between pastures and the milking shed
to be milked. The robotic milking shed will be operational 24/7.
Whilst the 2 dairies will be operated separately, there will be common activities carried
out by existing staff, and some economy of scale. It is anticipated one extra staff will be
employed.
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
3.2.2 Proposed robotic dairy effluent system
The proposed effluent system includes a solids trap, an effluent pond and liquid and
solid effluent reuse areas.
The plans for the proposed dairy effluent are detailed in Figure 4, attached to the DA.
4.1 Effluent solids trap and ponds
4.2 Effluent reuse areas
4.3 Solids trap
4.4 Cross section of ponds
The dairy effluent system design is detailed in a separate report attached with the
Statement of Environmental Effects: Proposed Dairy Effluent Management System
The proposed effluent system comprises:
1. Concrete holding yards to capture all manure dropped whilst cows are at the
dairy
2. An open collection drain along the end of the concrete yard
3. 100mm upvc pipelines to drain sumps in the dairy shed to the effluent system
4. A concrete solids trap with side screen
5. Two 150mm diameter pipelines: one to drain the sump at the solids trap into the
effluent pond, another to drain effluent from the pt pond to the 2nd pond
6. Two effluent storage ponds with a total capacity of 2.3 ML, adequate for a 1 in
10 year wet year
7. Liquid and solids effluent reuse areas adequate for the proposed herd size
8. An effluent pump and effluent stirrer in the 1st pond delivering effluent to an
effluent traveler via a combination of 90mm and 63mm poly pipelines
9. A diesel firefighter pump (or equivalent) on the 2nd pond delivering effl ent to
the same effluent irrigation system.
The proposed robotic dairy shed will milk up to 210 -280 cows all year (Stage 1, Stage 2).
. Cows are milked at any time during the day or night
. Cows voluntarily walk via gravellaneways to the concrete holding area at the
dairy
. The purpose of the concrete holding yard is to capture manure within an effluent
system.
. The milking shed, plant and concrete holding yard are normally washed twice
per day. During prolonged wet periods the yards will be washed once per day to
limit the volume of water to be stored
. All effluent from the concrete yards and machine andvat wash will be treated in
the proposed dairy effluent system.
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
. All runoff from manure storage area~ will be captured in the effluent system via
open drains.
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
3.3 Estimated costs of proposed shed and effluent
systems
The estimated cost for the proposed shed, yards and effluent system is detailed in Table
1.
Table 1 Estimated cost of proposed shed and dairy effluent system
313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
4. Justification for proposal
The property (soils and infrastructure) on Lot 2 DP 558790 has the capacity to run more
cows than are currently milked, and increased herd sizes are essential to maintain dairy
viability in the future.
. Cost/ price pressures: costs continually increase which can not be passed on by
demanding increased milk prices. The only way for the Smiths to maintain
profitability is to spread costs over more units of production. ie this is a similar
justification for amalgamated councils needing to get bigger to spread cost
structures
. Issue of succession: increased scale is needed to ensure family succession and
continued operation of the dairy enterprise for the next generation.
However, the grazing areas of Lot 2 DP 558790 are divided by the natural barrier of a
50m high ridge. There is no way for cows to walk from one si e to the other. The only
way to increase productivity is to build an additional milking shed on the eastern side of
the Lot.
The decision to build a robotic dairy was made to ensure the whole enterprise continues
to be manageable with the existing labour resources, by improving the skill base of
existing labour and the addition of 1 staff member.
The existing dairy on the western side of the ridge on Lot 2 DP 558790 will continue to
operate with a through-put of up to 200 milking cows.
The proposed robotic dairy on the eastern side of the ridge on Lot 2 DP 558790 will be
run separately to the existing dairy operation, with a through-put of up to 280 cows.
!ypical stocking rates in~intensive dairy systems range from 2.5 up to 5 cows per hectare depending on capacity for pasture and fodder production and management
skill.
On the western side of the Lot, the existing milking platform covers a total of 120 Ha for
200 milkers, or a stocking rate of 1.66 milkers/ Ha.
On the eastern side of the Lot, the proposed milking platform covers a total of 116 Ha
for up to 280 milkers, or a stocking rate of 2.41 milkers/ Ha.
Given the value of land in the region and reductions in dairy terms of trade over time,
high productivity per hectare and per cow will be critical for the long term viability of a
modern, sustainable dairy enterprise.
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
The Smiths have demonstrated continued excellence in their farm management and
have a sustainable dairy business that is currently meeting the challenges of a less than
favourable milk market.
The Smiths are excellent pasture and crop farmers and manage seasonal risk effectively
through a variety of strategies including on and off farm cropping and forward buying of
supplementary feeds.
The Smiths also seek professional advice where appropriate to assist with herd
management and nutrition and are capable of running a dairy production system that
runs 2.5 cows to the hectare or equivalent.
COW NUMBERS
It is estimated that total cattle numbers on Lot 2 DP 558790 will NOT significantly
change from the present levels when the proposed robotic dairy is operational. Table 2
sUl1)marises the estimated current and proposed cattle numbers.
Table 2. Estimated cattle numbers before and after robotic dairy
Class Current Proposed
Current dairy milkers 200 200
Robotic dairy milkers 280
Dry cows 40 60
Replacement heifers 150 60
Steers 200
TOTAL 600 600
Replacement heifer numbers at present are higher than" required to build up dairy cow
numbers for the proposed robotic dairy. In future this number will also be reduced by
joining heifers at a younger age.
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
5. Siting and integration
the potential constraints and limitations for the proposed robotic dairy include:
1. Zoning
2. Flooding
3. Soils and landforms
4. Buffer distances
5.1 Zoning
Lot 2 DP 558790 and Lot 2 DP 615391 are zoned RU2, Rural Landscape.
. RU2 zoned land does not require consent for extensive agriculture, which
includes production of crops or fodder, grazing livestock, pasture based dairy
operation.
o However, farm buildings, sewerage systems, water supply systems do
require consent.
. SEPP (Exempt and Complying Development Codes 2008) allows construction of
farm buildings on RU2 land for agricultural activity, not for habitable purposes,
not in heritage or environmentally sensitive area.
o <7m high, <200m2, 20m from primary road, >50m from dwelling on
.
neighbours, >50m from waterbody.
o The proposed robotic dairy shed meets all these limitations except the
footprint is >200m2.
Mid Coast Council LEP shows some restrictions on both lots:
. 8.5m maximum height of building; the proposed shed has a maximum
height of6.977m, less than the maximum height in the LEP -
. Bush fire prone land (part only); the proposed shed is more than 10m from a
habitable building so a Bush Fire Report is not required.
o To the west, native vegetation is 130m away uphill an average slope
of 5%
o To the east, native vegetation is 1400m away, with Markwell Road
and the Myall River between
. LEP2014 - 2100 Flo d Planning Area (see below)
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
5.2 Flooding
Lot 2 DP 558790 is prone to flooding. Flood Certificate 85/2017 obtained from Mid
Coast Council indicates the extent of the 1% AEP flooding from the Myall River and
other minor watercourses including Black Camp Creek. The map also gives the 1% AEP
flood levels at selected locations on the property.
The flood extent has been superimposed on the layout of the existing dairy (Figure 5a)
and the proposed layout of the robotic dairy and effluent system (Figure 5b).
The proposed robotic dairy, solids trap and effluent pond are above the 1% AER flood
level. Part of the liquid reuse areas are within the flood area, but the effluent pond
provides over 200 days of storage so that irrigation is not required when soils are
S",np1cld l’lay silt fsand (’ sonel gr:lvd D% EATLL PI. PI LS
USCS Texture(%,) ("!o)
.
("!oj (%1
1 Effluenl Pond 10 39 50 I 0 45 3(3) 22 19 3 1.0 ML III
2 Top Soil 0-20cm 111 111 III 111 III 111 S 111 111 III 111 111 Silty clay loam
.l S"bsoil 20-60cm III III III III 111 nl 3( II III 111 III 111 111 Silt)’ clay
ttl~
nl=nol tested
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company
SC017/ 177R1 (continued)
Report No:
Client Reference:
UJv.-
SCOI71177RI
Nick Bullock
NBA Consulting 64 Marbuk A venue
Port Macqllarie NSW 2444
SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE
Scone Research Centre
Feb 2019
LabMelhod PI7Clt P17CII 1’1813/3(%)
No
Sample IdSaturated hydralllk
13D (M~/mJ). Fe (1).3 har) WI’ (15 harl AWC.
conduC’ti\’,ity (mm/hrl
I EfIlllcnt POlld "I III nt III nt
2 T p Soil 0-20cm 28 1.05 35 R ’27
, SlIh,oil 20-60cm III III 32 7 25
- - ,
Field capacity f}C ’- wlltmg pOInt (W P and :1\’:ul:lhlc watcl caprlclly (A \Vel - mOisture content (%) hy weight UD’" ::;: bulk density of rccol1llxlctcd 11131CI;:11 :It which hydraulic conductivity was dctermined
111=1101 Ie sled
Il=not ;wail;lble
END OF TEST REPORT
Page 3 of 3
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313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
Soil interpretation SC018/043/1&2
Soil Conservation Service
18 Robert Street
PO Box 26
Morpeth NSW 2321 Tel: 0408446132
W’Nw.scs.nsw.gov.au
17 May 2018
Nick Bullock
NBA Consulting
64 Marbuck Ave
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Dear Mr Nick Bullock
Re: Soil test report SC018/043R1
Please find below. an Interpretation of the soil test results for two soli samples (0-400mm and 400-
800mm) from John & Kay Smith for the construction of a farm effluent storage pond. The
interpretation was based on the soil test report Report Ref No.’ 181050 (Issue Date.’ 3/05/18)
proVided by SESL Australia and the soil test report Job number 18-0052 (Date. 30/04/2018)
proVided by Resource Laboratories following the guidelines provided by Crouch et at. (2000) and
Hazleton and Murphy (2007)
Interpretation
Both of the samples tested (0-400mm and 400-800mm) were clay materials with high plastiCity.
High plasticity clays are generally suitable for the construction of farm dams However. the
Emerson aggregate test indicates that both of the samples tested (0-400mm and 400-800mm) had
low dispersion. As such, samples with low dispersion may be permeable when used for the
construction of a farm dam. The linear shrinkage also indicates that both samples had high
reactivity when used for the construction of a small farm dam. Thus a high level of compaction,
such as can be achieved with a pad foot roller (or equivalent) at near optimum soli moisture content
e I Loca.l La.nd ~,~
Services
www.scs.nsw.gov.au
Soil Conservation Service is a business unit of Local Land Servicesc-=-)~~) C-=-?’ ) C-=-)~ ) T=:’- T=- T=
Page I 34
313-317 Markwell Road, Bulahdelah Myall River Pastoral Company Feb 2019
Soil interpretation SC018/043/1&2 (continued)
Soil Conservation Service
is likely to be required to achieve a low saturated hydraulic conductivity but also minimise the risk of
cracking through the embankment.
If you have any queries, please contact me on 0408446 132.
Kind regards
JffpStephen Young
Senior Environmental Officer
References
Hazelton, PA and Murphy, B.W., 2007, Interpreting soil test results: what do all the numbers