Reminder To Farmers Using Scare Guns Near Residential Areas
Friday, 10 Nov 2023
Council wishes to remind primary producers in the Griffith Local Government Area about the correct use of scare guns.In recent weeks, Council has received complaints from residents regarding the excessive use of scare guns during late evening and early hours of the morning.
Council’s Director of Sustainable Development, Bruce Gibbs, acknowledges that scare guns play a vital role in many agricultural operations and are an integral part of rural life.
“Council supports the rights of primary producers to use scare guns, so long as their use is consistent with the management of noise in accordance with the NSW EPA Noise Guide for Local Government,” Mr Gibbs said.
“Scare guns are to be used only by primary producers while growing a crop. This includes during the full growing season for that crop and up until the end of its harvest.”
For primary producers employing scare guns when growing crops, Council encourages the following noise reduction and management measures:
- Consider alternatives to the noisy activity (e.g., protect crops with nets, kites shaped like birds of prey to protect crops instead of gas scare guns wherever practical to do so.)
- Change the activity to reduce the noise impact or disturbance (e.g., reorganise the way the activity is carried out).
- Schedule the noisy activity for less-sensitive times of day. There are different sensitive times of the day for different people: for example, schools are sensitive during the day, places of worship at times of religious services, and residences during evenings and nights. Where there are several noisy pieces of equipment, schedule operations so they are used separately rather than concurrently.
- scare guns only to be used between hours of 7am and sunset, and up to 30 minutes beyond the published time for sunset.
- the time interval between the discharges of scare guns should be no less than 2 minutes.
- Relocate the noise source away from receivers or at the greatest distance from the noise-sensitive area; or orient the equipment so that noise emissions are directed away from any sensitive areas, to achieve the maximum reduction of noise.
- changing the directions of a scare gun.
- scare guns are not to be directed towards or be operated within a 200-metre radius of any neighbouring dwelling. Wherever possible scare guns should be operated as far away as possible from any neighbouring dwelling.
Failure to do so will result in Council undertaking a compliance enforcement investigation process being initiated against you to take the actions necessary to comply with the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
Council appreciates your understanding and co-operation in this matter to ensure the amenity of the neighbourhood is maintained.
For more information, use the link to download the NSW EPA Noise Guide for Local Government: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/noise/regulating-noise/noise-guide-local-government
For further information please contact Council’s Planning & Environment Compliance Officer during business hours on 1300 176 077.
July 2024
-
Join The Mayor For Lunch And An Economic Update On Griffith
Tuesday, 23 Jul 2024Local business and industry associates are invited to join Griffith Mayor, Councillor Doug Curran for an economic update on our region.
Read more -
Griffith City Council’s Her Way 2680 Project Comes To A Close
Monday, 22 Jul 2024Eye-catching works of art, improved lighting, smart bus shelters, new footbridges, and a community garden have all been rolled out in Griffith to help make spaces feel safer for women, girls, and gender-diverse people.
Read more -
Olympic Street Set To Come To Life Thanks To Grant Funding
Friday, 19 Jul 2024Griffith City Council is thrilled to announce its success in obtaining $116,000 under the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program led by Transport for NSW. This funding will allow Olympic Street and the Griffith Youth Precinct to be turned into a bustling hub of community engagement and entertainment.
Read more -
Griffith City Council Celebrates Local Government Week 2024
Thursday, 18 Jul 2024Griffith City Council is inviting residents to help celebrate Local Government Week 2024.
Read more -
Community Corner - Griffith Soroptimists Set Out To Save Lives
Wednesday, 17 Jul 2024One of Griffith Soroptimist’s projects for 2024 is all about External Automatic Defibrillators (AEDs).
Read more -
Reminder – Grass Roots Competition Just Around The Corner
Tuesday, 16 Jul 2024The highly anticipated Grass Roots Open Mic Competition is just weeks away, with local musicians of all ages urged to register and start preparing their best material.
Read more -
A Powerful And Contemplative Performance That Challenges And Moves The Heart
Thursday, 11 Jul 2024Griffith Regional Theatre is proud to present the powerful and contemplative performance, The Visitors, on Thursday 15 August 2024.
Read more -
New Face Behind The Wheel Of Griffith City Library’s Mobile Library
Wednesday, 10 Jul 2024The Griffith City Library’s Bookmobile is hitting the road with a fresh new face behind the wheel. Kerry Ovalle, the newly appointed operator, brings her love for books to every stop.
Read more -
A Taste Of Italy Griffith Is Back
Monday, 08 Jul 2024The highly anticipated ‘A Taste of Italy Griffith’ is back for another year and the Tourism Team is thrilled to reveal what’s in store for 2024.
Read more -
We Will Rock You With The Killer Queen Experience
Thursday, 04 Jul 2024The Griffith Regional Theatre will rock patrons when The Killer Queen Experience hits the stage on Friday, 19 July at 8pm.
Read more -
Visit Griffith City Library For School Holiday Fun
Wednesday, 03 Jul 2024Griffith City Library has a fantastic line-up of activities for the upcoming school holidays.
Read more -
A De-lovely Morning Celebrating Cole Porter’s Greatest Hits
Monday, 01 Jul 2024Get ready to be swept away by the elegance and charm of Cole Porter's timeless music in the dazzling new production, It's De-Lovely – A Celebration of Cole Porter.
Read more
June 2024
-
Griffith City Council Adopts 2024/25 Budget
Friday, 28 Jun 2024Griffith City Council adopted its 2024/25 Budget and Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) at its Council meeting on Tuesday 25 June 2024.
Read more -
Non-resident Ratepayers Eligible To Vote In September 2024 Local Government Elections
Friday, 28 Jun 2024Non-resident ratepayers within the Griffith City Council area are encouraged to enrol and vote in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for September 2024.
Read more -
Have You Had Your Say On The Future Of Griffith Yet?
Friday, 28 Jun 2024Griffith City Council is calling on all residents to participate in shaping the future of Griffith through the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) Review.
Read more
