Northam cannabis grow house green lit
A $3 million medical cannabis cultivation facility in Northam was given the green light by planning officials today.
Procon Developments has applied to develop a hydroponic growing facility for medical marijuana in Northam’s newly subdivided AvonWest industrial park.
Global horticultural technology company Vitaponix will be the operator of the facility, which is expected to be developed in at least two stages.
The first phase, which was discussed at the Regional Development Assessment Panel this afternoon, consists of a two-storey 3,299 square meter cultivation facility.
The promoter plans to add another 10,000 square foot facility for further expansion of the product, laboratory testing, research, development and distribution.
Speaking against the proposal, resident Amber Cunnigham argued the development was not appropriate for the site.
“This application is a piecemeal planning, many aspects have not been considered,” he said.
He asked questions about the impact on safety, waste disposal, landscaping and comfort.
He added that the fact that this was a gradual development meant that it could be something very different from the proposal being considered.
“I feel like someone is offering a massage therapy job even though it’s actually a brothel,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Hidding Town Planning director Nik Hidding accepted the conditions proposed by the Shire or Northam.
This included classifying the project as an unlisted use rather than an agricultural use.
“We are thinking [that] is suitable, [as it] does not comply with defined use classes [local planning] order,” he said.
Mr Hidding added that the site would be powered by a solar farm and a microgrid consisting of rooftop solar power from all future buildings on the site.
The hydroponic facility will be the first development on the 62-hectare AvonWest estate, designed to connect to rail and road freight networks.
Mr Hidding described operator Vitaponix as “very experienced” and said they would have no problems complying with the necessary regulations.
Deputy chief Andrew Howe, speaking in support of the facility, cited data from the Federal Government’s Drug Control Agency.
“There are 36 manufacturers in Australia producing similar types of medicinal cannabis plants, so this is a well-known, well-established industry sector and growing,” he said.
“I don’t think this is piecemeal planning, this is a specially designed facility located in a light industrial zone.
“I think the nature and scale of this intensive production and processing is constantly evolving and so it is becoming an unlisted use.
“I don’t think the value or nature of the material handled has anything to do with planning, I think it has to do with operation… [and] In any case, this is a completely closed facility.”
Chairman member Eugene Koltasz supported the proposal on the grounds that it was in line with the local planning framework and would contribute to the local economy.
“The facility has a variety of uses including cultivation, drying, storage, office, transport… the way of construction and site layout is appropriate and has been extensively assessed against a range of development considerations,” he said.
He added that the site will have minimal impact due to low parking requirements, landscaping is more than adequate and an odor management plan is in place.
The promoter plans to add another 10,000 square foot facility for further expansion of the product, laboratory testing, research, development and distribution.
The proposal was supported unanimously.
