A FARMER has been told he cannot build a dam in rural Eden Park because the site is too small.
The 3.2-hectare site in Fifth Avenue is one of three parcels of land totalling about 14 hectares that form the property housing the 1800s Breadalbane homestead.
Owner Graeme Hunter wanted to build a dam for almost one megalitre of water on one of the parcels. He also wanted to build a house. He told Whittlesea council the dam would be for stock and domestic use.
A report to the council said the land was too small to support more than a few cows and horses and was not a viable rural allotment on its own. Because the owner had not yet lodged an application to build a house, there was no demonstrated need for a dam for domestic use.
Councillor Rex Griffin said it was a difficult situation when a farmer wants to put a dam on a rural property and was stopped.
“I know there are rules that you have to go by, but this is a tough one. I feel sorry for the farmer,” he said.
Two objections to the dam were lodged. One claimed it would affect a neighbour’s dam downstream; the other alleged overflow could wash out a neighbour’s driveway.
