High-priced cattle herd Blackmore’s Wagyu Beef told to hoof it
Time to go: David Blackmore has about two months to relocate his famous herd.
Picture: Andy Rogers
Murrindindi Shire Council asked Mr Blackmore to apply for an intensive animal husbandry permit after neighbours claimed the farm had become a virtual feedlot.
Council last month refused a retrospective planning permit for his farm after rejecting advice from its planning department.
Council was told he was running as many as 1300 of his high-priced cattle on about 150ha adjacent to the Goulburn River on the edge of Alexandra.
Murrindindi Mayor Margaret Rae said many nearby residents believed the Blackmore farm, established in 2004, was being operated as a feedlot.
Despite being located in the farming zone, councillors agreed “adjoining properties are used for primarily residential purposes that will be affected in a negative manner by the proposal”.
Stock agent and Alexandra Traders and Tourism Association president Andrew Embling said local farmers were appalled by the council decision.
“The stocking rates are no higher than a dairy farm would be and he (Mr Blackmore) is in the farm zone,” Mr Embling said.
He said Alexandra would lose its profile as a high-value farming area which came from its association with the Blackmore Wagyu.
An individual steak from Blackmore’s Wagyu Beef prepared at top restaurants in Australia and around the world can cost more than $100. “Every time there was a restaurant review, or article or some show talking about the quality of the Wagyu, we were mentioned,” Mr Embling said.
Nearby residents had complained about dust, smell and the arrival of many thousands of pest birds, such as corellas, attracted to the cattle’s high grain rations.
Council’s acting chief executive, Michael Chesworth, said the issue of the permit application was “a very difficult and complex matter”.
The Weekly Times was not able to contact Mr Blackmore but he told local media he had been surprised by the council decision.
“It’s too hard for us to fight and it’s easier for us to move,” he said.
Source: The Weekly Times, Chris McLennan, July 22nd 2015
Originally published as: High-priced cattle herd Blackmore’s Wagyu Beef told to hoof it
