INSTALLATION of a private treated effluent pipeline at Calivil was approved by Loddon Shire councillors at their meeting on Tuesday.
Councillors were told the private treated effluent pipeline at Calmo Farms’ dairy would remove amenity issues and improve practices associated with the transportation of treated effluent resulting from the established intensive dairy feedlot within the farm. 
“A pipeline would allow effluent to be handled with clean water during irrigation events on additional owned parcels forming part of the farm and be distributed over an additional 300 hectares of forage producing area owned and managed by Calmo Farms,” an officer report said.
“The pipeline would operate in a similar manner to a sewer rising main and would be constructed in accordance with relevant Australian Standards. The pipeline is a closed pipeline. Effluent sent through the pipe is treated, not raw effluent. The designed pressure within the proposed pipeline is significantly less than the designed maximum pressure of the class of pipe, being installed.
“The proposal is consistent with the purpose of the Farming Zone and relevant State and Local Planning Policy Framework as it relates to the support and enhancing agricultural production on the land. The pipeline would value add to the intensive dairy farm wastewater management and provide for more efficient practices over the farm.”
Councillors were told that historically the land has been used as a dairy for many years. 
“A permit was issued in 2020 permitting the use and development of an intensive dairy on the land, which has included the construction of two new free stall sheds. 
“The proposed private treated effluent pipe, which will transport effluent (liquid manure) from the established intensive dairy feedlot at Calivil Mail Road, to Boort-Mitiamo Road, in Calivil, seeks to remove the requirement for trucks to transport the treated effluent associated with the intensive dairy. 
“Free stall dairy operations generate a significant amount of nutrients in manure and effluent that are best used as a soil amendment and fertiliser replacement on paddocks growing forages used to feed the herd. 
“Reuse as a soil amendment supports a sustainable closing of the nutrient cycle.”
Two objections from neighbours were received, citing biosecurity concerns and proximity of the pipeline of houses and the risk of a ruptured pipe.