A PROPOSED $73 million abalone farm would be the size of 23 MCG playing areas, objectors say.
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The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) continued in Warrnambool on Wednesday with Dutton Way resident Tony Wright comparing the proposed project to the Wonthaggi Desalination plant.
Mr Wright said the desalination plant covered 20 hectares - less than half of the proposed abalone farm near Portland.
He said the footprint of Yumbah Aquaculture's proposal covered 45.9 hectares and the shed to contain grow tanks under black shade cloth would be the size of almost eight MCGs.
"It is larger than any such operation in the Southern Hemisphere," he said.
Mr Wright said he spoke on behalf of 55 other Dutton Way residents and that their position was the abalone farm's massive size was incompatible with the historic rural residential settlement within a rural living zone.
"It is in clear conflict with the expectations of those who reside there," he said.
Mr Wright said he would not be so bold as to request that this abalone farm be deemed intensive or industrial animal husbandry, both of which would be knocked back from getting a permit within a rural living zone.
"However, I would invite you to consider while pondering the issuing of a permit or not, the well-worn idea that if it flies like a duck, waddles like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it perhaps ought to be considered a duck," he said.
He said the industrial scale of the proposal does not meet the expectations of residents who have established their homes in the area, who believe rural living to mean what is says.
He said those who have chosen to make their lives on the Dutton Way had done so because of what they had found to be the delights of living there, "both tangible and intangible - including psychologically and socially".
"We are a community," he said. "There is also a social component, too, to the idea that our modest little seaside neighbourhood could be overwhelmed by what we might characterise as one of the world's largest industrial feed lots for sea creatures. Part of that social impact would be the loss of the freedom for children and neighbours to use safe roads.
"The idea that a colossal onshore abalone farm could mesh with the long established neighbourhood character of a quiet and modest seaside village is at least novel.
"We remain adamant that the application by Yumbah Aquaculture should not be supported."
Dutton Way resident Rachael Matuschka said the development was six kms from the centre of Portland and was the only beach side residential area available within 10kms to the city area.
"The Dutton Way valley is a natural amphitheater and any noise produced on the flat land below is carried clearly up to the ridge. Currently, it has a tranquil rural setting. This is one of the main reasons many of the residents chose this area to settle in and invest our life savings in our forever homes."
Mrs Matuschka said if the proposal was approved the idyllic beach side community would have four to five years of construction noise and then the normal sounds of an industrial site. "Workers will be accessing the site from 6am to 9pm," she said.
Mrs Matuschka also raised concerns about the effects of odours from the site. "It cannot be denied there will be odour associated with such a massive factory," she said.
She said her and her husband purchased their block in 2012 and invested their life savings to build a house that would see them into retirement.
"During the design process we were encouraged to position our house close to the ridge to maximise the combination of rural and sea views," she said. "Our dreams were shattered when Yumbah announced the proposed development." Mrs Matuschka also questioned the effect the development would have on the sea wall, the water table and whales visiting the area.
The tribunal members will visit the proposed site, nearby properties, Yumbah's Narrawong operation and the Port of Portland on Thursday.