Livestock producers Bill Pukallus and Anna Hobbs-Pukallus will appeal a decision by Gympie Regional Council allowing a steel manufacturing plant to continue operating on rural land across the road from their property.
On behalf of the Pukullus family, McCarthy Durie Lawyers have lodged the appeal to the Queensland Planning and Environment Court.
The notice of appeal was filed on August 6 and claimed Widgee Engineering’s application, approved by the council on July 9, should be reviewed for its “Material Change of Use” impacts on the neighbouring rural landholder’s property.
The council initially refused an application by Widgee Engineering to operate in its current capacity as a specialised structural steel works development in October 2017 and instead gave the owners, Pete and Di Saal, two years to relocate the business.
A new application was then made to council by Widgee Engineering for a “change application for consent approval under interim development bylaws”, which was approved in April this year by council.
The Pukallus family first raised their issues with the neighbouring steel works through a written letter to Gympie Regional Council on September 29, 2015.
The Gympie Regional Council has declined to comment due to the matter potentially being before the Planning and Environment Court.
Widgee Engineering’s Di Saal also declined to comment on the matter at this point in time.