By JONATHON HOWARD
A SOUTH Toolburra chicken farm has been given the green light to expand its operation to more than 830,000 birds.
Fessey Farm located at 3497 Leyburn-Cunningham Rd applied to Southern Downs Regional Council for a superseded planning scheme for its chicken broiler farm.
The application was approved by Councillors during last month’s general meeting on 31 July.
The applicant and owner, Sam Fessey, outlined the additional poultry sheds and associated infrastructure in two stages of development.
The proposal involves two pads, containing eight poultry sheds on each, and two dwelling houses to be used for staff accommodation.
The additional poultry sheds will equate to a total of 832,000 birds, and a gross floor area of 43,520 square metres.
The report revealed that each shed would house about 52,000 birds, or 19 birds per square metre, and chickens are raised from chick to mature adults in as little as eight weeks.
