Mr Babbage’s comments come as the future of a proposed abattoir in Blayney sits on hold awaiting a decision by the Department of Planning and Environment. 

The abattoir, which is located adjacent to the existing Blayney Sealink Cold Storage complex on Newbridge Road, will have the capacity to process 4000 head of livestock, predominantly goats and sheep a day.

Mr Babbage said the conditions Blayney councillors want placed on the development were too harsh and jeopardised the $30 million project.

“These kind of developments don’t happen very often,” he said, 

“This abattoir is on the eastern side of the cold stores, so it’s well away from town.” 

 Blayney mayor Scott Ferguson said due process is being followed and that council’s submissions were simply recommendations based on residents’ concerns.

He said some of those conditions include minimal environmental impact, continued environmental monitoring including potential impact on flood and groundwater systems and health concerns related to Q fever.

“They are issues that the council wants looked at,” he said, 

“Once the planning and assessment is completed, some of those conditions may be harder, or they may be easier.”

Councillor Geoff Braddon is a vocal supporter of the abattoir having worked in the old Blayney abattoir that closed in 1999.

“I was ashamed to be at that [extraordinary council] meeting back in May,” Cr Braddon said.

“They’ve shot themselves in the foot by placing unrealistic conditions on it.”

Cr Ferguson says that the abattoir is a significant project to assess and it’s understandable it’s taking so long.

“It has been a long-time since there has been a greenfield abattoir development like this in NSW,” he said.

“There have been plenty that have closed and reopened and have had extension and modifications made, so I think that the Department of Planning and Environment are simply making sure that they do the job correctly.”

Cr Braddon’s main concern is for the potential 500 jobs that he claims will be lost in the district if it doesn’t go ahead.

“There are 165 full-time jobs at the abattoir with many more being created down the chain,” he said.

Cr Ferguson agreed however there was little that the council can do to expedite the process. 

“It’s taking a lot longer than it ordinarily would and it may take longer,” he said.

“The applicant is working with the department to address the concerns issued. 

“It’s completely out of council’s hands.”