When Main Creek dairy farmer Keith “Bluey” Watkins was issued a notice of prevention by Dungog Council to address alleged pollution from his cows crossing the road, he was concerned his business would suffer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 63-year-old has been a dairy farmer all his life and his father before him but knew this action was going to have a big impact as he walked his cows along the road to the dairy to be milked.
In August he went to the Land and Environment Court to get a stay of proceedings while a plan could be worked out.
“The commissioner gave me a continuing stay on council’s order for three months, which was appreciated,” Bluey said.
“I, like most farmers, am environmentally sensitive and was keen to find a solution to the alleged claim that my cattle were polluting the road.
“I was looking for an outcome that would be in the best interests of the environment and the concerns of the council.”
Bluey discussed his concerns and started working on a plan with senior biosecurity officer Luke Booth and district veterinarian Digby Rayward from Hunter Local Land Services.
“To be the best neighbour and environmentally sensitive, we discussed building laneways on the inside of the fence leading up to the dairy,” Luke said.
“This would then exclude cattle from walking along the road.
“We engaged an expert in construction of laneways with Wayne Everett providing the technical information.
“Between us we worked out the best environmentally sensitive route for the laneways.
“Hunter Water was consulted during the planning stages as all farmers are concerned about the health of the Williams River.
“Due to the sensitive environmental nature of the project, Bluey received some funding from the Hunter Local Land Services for planning of the project but bore the rest of the cost himself.”
The plan was put to the commissioner at a specially convened meeting onsite which included representatives from Dungog Council, Mr Booth, Mr Rayward, Mr Watkins and his barrister.
Bluey’s plan was tabled and discussed and agreed the project should solve the problem.
The three-kilometre, six-metre wide road has been constructed from all-weather road base.
“Credit to Bluey that it didn’t have to be completed until the end of the financial year, but he got stuck into it and it’s all but finished,” Luke said.
“People can’t question his commitment to the project.”
Bluey thanked the Dungog community for their overwhelming support.
