GRAINCORP will expand its Nhill site after Hindmarsh Shire Council approved a proposal for five new grain storage bunkers.
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Councillors assessed the company’s application at a meeting in Nhill on Wednesday.
GrainCorp applied for a planning permit to develop land in Belcher Street.
The new bunkers would be about 40 metres by 120 metres and oriented in an east-west direction, to the east of the existing bunkers and site offices.
Landowners were notified about the proposal after GrainCorp submitted its application in July.
Council received 13 objections. These ranged from concerns about dust, noise and rodents, as well as how the development would affect natural features and views, and whether it would halt the expansion of dwellings in the area.
Health, rainwater quality and pedestrian safety were also among the concerns.
In a report to council, infrastructure services director Shane Power outlined responses to these objections.
Council deemed the proposal would not effect dwellings given the land is in a farming zone, and any affect on views were not a relevant planning consideration.
Council approved the proposal with a range of health, safety and engineering conditions to address dust, noise and traffic issues.
Hindmarsh mayor Ron Ismay said a few residents attended Wednesday’s council meetings to hear debate about the proposal.
“We had a couple of people in the gallery who had raised concerns, and I think they all left reasonably satisfied,” he said.
“There was a lady who was very concerned initially as she bought a property on the outskirts of Nhill and was worried about the development affecting the amenity, but she was happy that the bunkers had shifted.
“GrainCorp initially planned to put the bunkers further west of where bunkers already are, and there were objections to that.
“They went back to the drawing board and reconfigured the bunkers, and they will now go on east end of what's already there, closer to the highway.”
GrainCorp will now seek a building permit for the work.