Project Development
In September 2004, WAMIA commenced preparation of a Development Application for the Shire of Chittering. This application was submitted in April 2005 and subsequently conditionally approved at the Shire of Chittering Council Meeting on the 13th of December 2005. Many of the conditions imposed were to be dealt with through the Works and Building Approvals process.
To ensure the success of the facility it is recognised that international standards will need to be met in relation to animal handling and welfare, operational efficiency, product identification and traceability and provision of market information.
The facility proposed in the Development Application (DA) provided the opportunity to create a focal point for the establishment of an Employment Node as identified by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) in the North East Corridor Extension Study (WAPC 2003). The facility will also provide opportunities for the introduction of new initiatives in training and technology for the area.
WAMIA carried out a due diligence process to substantiate the DA and has developed and modified its proposal in response to the outcomes of studies conducted by experienced, local based, planning and environmental consultants.
Of prime consideration, during WAMIA's due diligence process, has been the need to ensure the long-term environmental sustainability of the development, given its location within the Ellen Brook catchment and the susceptibility of that catchment to nutrient losses contributing to eutrophication within the Swan River system. Key features of the design and management of the facility which will ensure this sustainability are:-
- All main livestock operational areas being undercover and built on either concrete or an impervious clay base;
- Minimisation of effluent production through the use of the latest design and technology in livestock handling facilities;
- Management of effluent and solid waste to maximise recycling and minimise or eliminate use of irrigation in the buffer zone;
- The planned capture of water from roofed areas and other catchments to make the site self sustaining with water in the long term; and
- In December 2005 WAMIA appointed Incoll Management Pty Ltd as project managers to lead the design part of the Relocation Project. Incoll is on the Department of Housing and Works consultants list for major government works and has proved to be a valuable resource for WAMIA.
The WAMIA Development Application for the Livestock Centre Muchea was tabled discussion and decision at the Shire of Chittering Council Meeting on the 13th of December 2005.
WAMIA received the proposed conditions to the planning approval before the meeting, and were provided the opportunity to review them. The WAMIA Board accepted the conditions many of which had to be dealt with through the Works and Building Approvals process.
As a result of the conditions of approval and the requirement for works approval, WAMIA commissioned a number of tenders including water and nutrient monitoring, acid sulphate soils and traffic analysis along with noise, landscaping and odour management.
Following the December 2006 Cabinet Approval, WAMIA (through the Department of Housing and Works) have appointed other consultants to the design team including: Ralph Beattie Bosworth Pty Ltd as Quantity Surveyors, Pritchard Francis as Civil and Structural Engineers, GHD as Electrical Engineers and Lincoln Scott as Hydraulic Engineers. Atlex Stockyards continues as the saleyard designer as a direct appointees of WAMIA.
In May 2007 WAMIA awarded a contract to Mine Site Construction Services for the construction of the main internal site access road, a water catchment dam and a drainage sump. This work formed Stage One of the main earthworks and was completed in June 2007. It will allow for the collection of water for construction 2007/2008.
The 16ha "cut and fill" earthworks (for the main site)commenced in January 2008 with Yarnell being awarded the contract.
