Clearing of bush home to more than four endangered native species sees unprecedented backlash from neighbours

The fate of a vegetable grower’s application to expand its horticultural operations — which has drawn unprecedented backlash from nearby residents — will be determined on Tuesday night. Patane Produce has formally requested to clear native vegetation on two lots along Rigg Road in Myalup to allow for further vegetable growing, as well as irrigation sprinkler systems. The family-run carrot, potato, broccoli and onion producer would clear about 6.95ha of trees and plants across the combined 60ha of properties for expansion of its vegetable farming operations. Shire documents show about 200 trees would be cleared as part of the plan, but vegetation would also be planted on the lots as a noise buffer along the adjacent Forrest Highway. It would see a loss of habitat for more than four endangered and critically endangered native species, such as black cockatoos and ringtail possums. The proposal, submitted to the Harvey Shire earlier this year, has been met with an overwhelming negative response from nearby residents because of its environmental impact. A chief executive officer’s report recommended the application be dismissed. The document stated the proposal was contrary to the Planning and Development Regulations because it did not preserve “important natural flora and fauna habitats” and had the potential to “create irreversible damage to the land quality” through erosion and loss of soil. If councillors do not reject the application, it will be deferred until March 2022 at the request of Patane Produce. Co-owner Pennie Patane said nearby residents had expressed concerns about activities on her Myalup property over the years. But Ms Patane said she did not expect such strong backlash against her latest proposal. “We didn’t know all of their opinions until we had applied, a lot of the issues we feel we can address pretty easily,” she said. Ms Patane said the application for a deferral was to address environmental issues, while resolving neighbours’ angst about her property. “I would really like to engage with (the residents) and councillors all at the same time so we are not running from one to the other,” she said. “What we want to do is get everyone in a room ... where we sit down and go through what the issues are.” Five nearby residents raised concerns and spoke against the application at a councillor agenda briefing last week. Resident Paul Welch said trees lining Forrest Highway acted as a buffer for noise for residents and once removed would expose the residential area to the highway. His comments came despite the proposal stating vegetated noise buffers would be installed. Patane Produce has operated in the South West for more than 70 years and has a full-time workforce of more than 30 employees.