THE loud bellowing of vealers being weaned is something clients of The Lookout residential rehabilitation centre would have to put up with eight to 12 times a year, according to objector David Potter.
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His 132-acre property abuts the proposed site at Atkinsons Lane in Dennington.
Mr Potter was speaking at the first day of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing into the proposed facility.
The hearing was played a series of short video recordings of the calves bellowing just hours after they had been separated from their mothers.
"They naturally suckle their mothers until 11 months of age, or 12 months if I forget," Mr Potter said.
During the weaning period, which is about two weeks, the calves pine for their mothers and bellow on a regular basis.
"They make a hell of a lot of noise," Mr Potter said.
"They bellow their heads off day, night and they really put up a ruckus."
Mr Potter said the calves bellowed "nearly continuously".
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"There might be a break for 10 minutes, 15 minutes but I wouldn't go any further than that.
"Usually when one bellows it starts the others off."
Mr Potter said he believed he took the recordings about 80 metres from the front gate of the proposed rehabilitation facility.
When asked whether he knew how loud the bellowing would be from inside a building that had measures in place to block out noise, he said he did not.
Mr Potter also stated in his objection there was widespread anxiety about the proposed facility in the community.
When asked how many people he had spoken to who were concerned about it, he said he would estimate it would be no less than 60.
Mr Potter also spoke about the impact of increased traffic on Atkinsons Lane.
"During the winter months the sides get very muddy," he said.
"It can be a bit hazardous going down there."
Warrnambool City councillors voted against the proposal 4-2 in April.
It is proposed The Lookout would be a 20-bed medical facility to assist people recovering from health issues related to drug and alcohol use.
The original planning permit application to the council drew 34 objections, with four submissions in support.
Objectors had concerns about safety and security for community groups and Dennington residents.
The hearing will continue on Tuesday.
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