GRIFFITH – The Land and Environment Court has sided with the Riverina’s Sikh community in rejecting a development alongside Griffith Sikh Gurdwara.
Agronomy company Terra Ag had taken Griffith City Council to court in a bid to reverse its development application (DA) refusal to build its business on Kidman Way
But the court dismissed the appeal because the proposed development could be “characterised as a heavy industrial storage facility” and was therefore “prohibited” in that location.
Sikh community representative Hardip Chahal said its evidence of what can be achieved when the community works together.
“I’m very thankful to all those who attended meetings and signed our petition”.
He said he was also grateful to the court’s senior commissioner Rosemary Martin – who handed down the decision – for taking the time to visit the temple and listen to their concerns.
Finally he thanked Griffith City Council for their support.
Neighbours had united with the Sikh community to argue noise, traffic, dust, and odour from the sale of fertiliser on site could damage the health of residents.
Last year, council voted to block Terra Ag’s development after listening to residents’ concerns.
In response to the verdict, mayor John Dal Broi said “council accepts the decision from the senior commissioner”.
“Moving forward, council is happy to work with Terra Ag in identifying an alternative site in an appropriate zone and to see a new development application submitted.”
Terra Ag did not respond to requests for comment.