Planning requirements for feedlots

Cattle feedlots of less than 50 head which have lodged a completed proposal form (Appendix 4 of the Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots 1995) with the local Shire council that demonstrates compliance with the approved measures, are deemed as-of-right for planning purposes.

A copy of the Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots 1995 is available from the Planning for Sustainable Animal Industries page on the Planning website (in the Incorporated documents and guidelines section).

Approved measures

1. Feedlot is outside a declared special water supply catchment.
2. Feedlot is above the 1 in 100 year flood level and is outside of an active flood plain.
3. No part of the feedlot is closer than 300m to a farmhouse on an adjoining property.
4. There is a minimum set back of 200m from a watercourse, groundwater recharge area, bore or spring.
5. There is a minimum set back of 800m from the full level of a water storage used for the supply of potable water, or the take-off or bore for the supply of potable water.
6. There is a minimum set back of 200m from any road.
7. Pen density does not exceed one head of cattle per 20m2 (pen area divided by number of cattle equals pen density).
8. The feedlot pens will have a uniform slope of not less than 2% and not greater than 6%.
9. Wastes are prevented from flowing toward any watercourses by mounds or levies, unless traversing a prepared dispersal area. Show on a plan.
10. Fresh runoff water is prevented from running into the feedlot area by mounds or levies.
11. Effluent is dispersed by spreader banks, contour furrows or drainage levies where required to ensure adequate dispersion.
12. The area for effluent dispersal is not less than 2 hectares.
13. The area for manure application to land is not less than 1 hectare for every 5 head of cattle housed in the feedlot. Manure is to be incorporated into a vegetation production system.
14. An area of not less than 2.5m around the drinking trough is kept substantially free of manure and dressed with crushed rock or concrete.
15. An area of not less than 2.5m around the feed trough is kept substantially free of manure and dressed with crushed rock or concrete.
16. Pens are cleaned at least annually of manure.
17. The feedlot is to be operated in a manner to keep the surface in a generally dry condition and avoid the development of wet areas within the pen area.
18. The feedlot is operated in a manner to keep feed and water troughs in a clean condition.
19. The cattle feedlot is maintained so as to prevent the propagation of weeds and the breeding and spread of vermin and flies.

Where any of the approved measures cannot be met, the feedlot must be assessed in accordance with the provisions of Elements 1 to 8 of the 'Victorian Code For Cattle Feedlots'.

A full proposal must then be completed and provided to the local Shire council.

Failure to comply with any of these requirements will place a feedlot operation in breach of the 'Victorian Code For Cattle Feedlots' and the 'State Planning Scheme' of your local Shire council.

More information

Email the the Agriculture Victoria Planning and Advisory Service at agvic.planning@agriculture.vic.gov.au to:

• request advice or
• ask for a copy of the Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots.