A NEWBRIDGE farm shed can be used for olive processing and worker accommodation after planning approval last week by Loddon Shire Council.
Officers recommended the planning permit that had one objection after adjoining landowners were told of the application by Christopher Young.
Mr Young bought the Loddon River property in 2000 and has since planted 2700 olive trees.
His Yalla-y-poora Grove online page say it is an Australian olive grove that specializes in the production of premium demeter certified bio-dynamic extra virgin olive oil.
Officers told last week’s council meeting: “Currently the lot contains a large machinery shed, two water tanks, small storage shed and approximately 11.5 hectares of olive plantation consisting of 2700 trees. The western end of the large machinery shed has been converted into an olive processing facility with existing equipment already installed. The middle section of the shed will be used for storage and the eastern end to be used as a workshop area and dwelling.”
They said an eight bay shed would be modified to house olive oil processing equipment with annual production estimated at 12,000 litres. 
“{The property will not be open to the general public with no farm gate sales proposed. It is proposed to package the olive oil a number of ways including in 500ml bottles or 1L & 10L BIB packs which are then loaded onto pallets and transported to the distributor in Croydon. Alternatively when in bulk the oil will be transferred into 1000L IBC containers for direct shipment to the client. It is not expected to exceed 10 deliveries a year. 
“There may also be a small volume of web sales which will be transported to Bendigo for distribution.
“The olive processing facility is in operation from mid-April until early July each year with the operation proposed to be commencing at 8am and finishing by 8pm each day.”
A neighbour objected to the planning application, saying the shed was 10 metres from a boundary fence and 190 metres from their home.
The objector also said the processing plant had been in use for at least 10 years and raised concerns about pollution.
Mr Young was contacted for comment.