Pig farm
In all Victorian planning schemes, a planning permit is required to use and develop land for a pig farm. There are a range of zones where pig farms may be permitted, and this is outlined in the Victoria Planning Provisions:
- Farming Zone
- Rural Activity Zone
- Green Wedge Zone
- Green Wedge A Zone
- Rural Conservation Zone
- Rural Living Zone
- Urban Growth Zone.
To determine if an activity is permissible in one of the above zones, the local council should be consulted as local laws may apply that restrict certain uses.
For more information on permit requirements across zones in Victoria, download:
- Permit requirements across zones in Victoria (PDF - 83.3 KB)
- Permit requirements across zones in Victoria (WORD - 83.5 KB)
Why is a planning permit for a pig farm is required?
The planning permit process for a pig farm is necessary because even small, free-range pig farms can have significant environmental and community amenity impacts if not sited and managed correctly.
The planning permit application process allows local government to consider whether the siting and size of a proposed farm, or an expansion of an existing farm, is compatible with the specific location.
The process allows potential environmental and amenity risks to be identified and mitigated through the siting, design and operation of the farm. It also provides proponents the opportunity to consider with council the ability of the land to accommodate future expansion.
Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Pig Farm Planning Permit Guidelines - June 2018
These Guidelines provide information and direction to applicants and planners for assessing planning permit applications to establish or modify a low density mobile outdoor pig farm. They outline what planners should expect in the application, and present key decision guidelines to support assessment of the application.
These Guidelines set out the eligibility requirements for a simplified planning assessment process based on the farms having low environmental and amenity risks and apply to a planning permit application for pig farms with a maximum of 150 sows or 1,000 Standard Pig Units (SPU).
Additional planning requirements are outlined in the Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Pig Farm Planning Permit Guidelines that must be met.
- Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Pig Farm Planning Permit Guidelines (PDF - 661.5 KB)
- Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Pig Farm Planning Permit Guidelines (WORD - 119.0 KB)
Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Pig Farm Planning Permit Guidelines - Development Plan
A development plan contains the information that planners should expect from a planning application. It outlines the way in which the facility will be sited, built and managed to meet the objectives and standards of the guidelines.
A template is provided below to assist applicants in creating your plan. The template includes guidance notes/examples and checklists to assist applicants in identifying the information to include in each section.
Further information on pig farms
PPN86: Applying for a planning permit for a pig farm
This practice note provides guidance for applicants and responsible authorities about the preparation and assessment of planning permit applications for pig farms.
View PPN86 at Department of Transport and Planning.
National Environmental Guidelines for Indoor Piggeries - May 2018
View the National Environmental Guidelines for Indoor Piggeries at Australian Pork Limited.
National Environmental Guidelines for Rotational Outdoor Piggeries – 2013
View the National Environmental Guidelines for Rotational Outdoor Piggeries at Australian Pork Limited.
Contact
For further information contact the Agriculture Victoria Planning and Advisory Service for all agricultural land use planning enquiries on agvic.planning@agriculture.vic.gov.au.