Australia: No permission for Oakford cucumber farm
The SAT decided the development proposal should be classified as ‘hydroponic’ and not the ‘floriculture-extensive’ it claimed to be, and therefore was a prohibited use within the Shire’s Groundwater Protection Zone.
The Tribunal found the proposal did not involve the use of soil, and that the cultivation of the plants using sawdust as a medium and providing nutrients through the water exclusively must involve the use of a hydroponic system within the ordinary meaning of that term.
However, if the proposed cucumber involved the growing of cucumbers in soil it would not involve the use of a hydroponic system.
An amended proposal would best fit within ‘floriculture-extensive’ category and would be capable of approval under the Shire’s town planning scheme .
Kieu Family Pty Ltd recently purchased Lot 14 (121) King Road Oakford and wants to grow cucumbers under tunnel houses on a quarter of the 4ha property which is within the priority 2 area of the Jandakot Mound Public Drinking Water Source Area.
Source: communitynews.com.au