WAPC approves Bullsbrook feed mill

The Western Australian Planning Commission unanimously approved NewCo Mills' second go at building a stock feed grain mill on a 5.75 hectare site in Bullsbrook.

NewCo Mills lodged its proposal, which comprises a stock feed grain mill, a packing/warehouse building and an administration building, through the state government's Significant Development Assessment Unit.

The application was lodged with a $24.7 million price tag but it was revealed during the WAPC meeting today that estimated costs have blown out to $30.5 million.

The development will manufacture pellet-form livestock feed, anticipating to produce about 215,000 tonnes a year.

This proposed mill at Gaston Road is planned to supply monogastric feed market to Thompson & Redwood customers and Westpork piggery operations.

Concerns about odour, dust and noise were raised by residents and neighbouring beef farmers in the lead up and during the meeting today.

WAPC chairman David Caddy said despite the objections for the land use, it was reasonable for the development to be in the locality with the future designation of that Bullsbrook land being of industrial use.

"Not withstanding current supply chain issues, the project is ready for construction to commence ... leaving long term benefits for WA," he said.

The WAPC also approved an amended time limit for the applicant to finalise the planning framework.

A main topic of discussion during the meeting examined whether the proposed development was a warehouse, and thus not eligible to be considered by the WAPC under the SDAU pathway.

However, SDAU director Paola Di Perna, as authorising officer of the WAPC report, said the building would have certain machinery to operate the feed mill and it was not simply used to store materials.

In 2020, Newco Mills' proposal for a stock feed mill in Bullsbrook was refused by the Metro Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel.

The original proposal comprises a 900 square metre feed mill shed, 38 storage silos, a warehouse building and administration offices

The decision was appealed in the State Administrative Tribunal but the refusal was upheld by the tribunal president in December, concluding the proposed land use was incorrectly classified.

While the matter was proceeding in SAT last year, NewCo Mills lodged an updated application through the SDAU which was not supported by the City of Swan.

Thompson & Redwood managing director Stephen Lamond said the project had been progressing for about six to seven years.

He said there had been a reduction of feed mills in WA with only one facility to be left standing by the end of the year.

"The supply of products to look after them (animals) is reducing," he said.

"By only having one mill there, it’s a monopoly and they can do whatever they like so they can favour contractors … and if there’s an incident, say there's a fire, it puts a risk to the whole industry.

"You can’t stop feeding animals…cattle and sheep. That’s a pretty serious threat to the whole industry."

According to the WAPC report, the proposed mill was anticipated to add about $7.4 million in gross value towards the WA economy during construction, create about 36 construction jobs and 43 ongoing jobs at the stock feed grain mill.