More than 4000 public submissions to Tegel's proposal in Northland

More than 4000 submissions have been received on Tegel's plan to set up a broiler chicken farm at Arapohue. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Seven of the more than 2400 public submissions lodged with the Northland Regional Council support a proposed broiler chicken farm just outside Dargaville.

A further 2234 submissions have been received by the Kaipara District Council but the number for and against the proposal is still being finalised.

Tegel want to set up a broiler chicken farm at Arapohue with a capacity to stock up to 1.3 million chickens and employ 28 people.

NRC consents manager Stuart Savill said 2458 submissions were either handed in or lodged online by 1pm yesterday, of which seven supported the broiler chicken farm.

The rest want NRC to refuse consents to Tegel Foods.

The deadline for submissions was Wednesday.

Mr Savill said 2007 submissions were received from an online submission platform www.toko.org.nz set up by Greenpeace for either groups or individuals to make representation to NRC.

Greenpeace itself did not make a submission to Tegel's proposal.

Mr Savill said 344 people who made submissions wished to appear before a minimum of three hearing commissioners to be appointed by both councils within the next 75 days.

The councils will organise joint hearings before the commissioners, who will make a final decision on Tegel's proposal.

"We'll go through the submissions and look at the issues submitters have raised before deciding on hearing dates. Legally, submitters have a right to withdraw their wish to be heard anytime," Mr Savill said.

He was surprised at the number of submissions received on the Greenpeace online platform.

"But it's an emotive topic and people have the ease of sending submissions electronically these days."

Both councils last month rejected a written request by Arapohue resident Carol Donovan on behalf of those opposed to Tegel's plan that the deadline for public submissions be extended.

A protest march was organised in Dargaville town by the Dargaville Chicken Farm Community Information Group last week after four public meetings where locals were urged to lodge their submissions.

Residents of Mititai Rd and Whakahara Rd in Arapohue are mostly concerned about the smell and possible devaluation of their properties if the broiler chicken farm is set up.