Across the state, where town meets the country, noses are being put out of joint. The government is now having to grapple with the fallout. Its State Environment Protection Policy, which covers odor pollution, is under review, with the last submissions expected this week. The Victorian Farmers Federation has taken a tough line in its submission and is unapologetic about its view, which is, roughly speaking, that city slickers need to get real about country life if they are going to move to rural areas.
Farmers say it goes to the whole issue of the right to farm.
People should know what it is like and not try to change a rural area and turn it into another leafy suburb like Hawthorn or Brighton or somewhere. Mr Walsh blamed bad planning for today's problems. Those noses are less accountable, shall we say. The EPA believes the review will deliver certainty to farmers and communities surrounding them over what is expected and acceptable. Odor is measured in units, one odor unit being the point at which an average nose will detect a smell.