A small crowd of families attended the Gunnedah Shire Council meeting yesterday.

Marys Mount resident Mark Donaldson made a presentation to council and said there were asthmatic children and adults living close to the proposed development.

Mr Donaldson said he had sought the advice of a chest and lung specialist, who had told him hydrogen sulphide - which will be emitted by the mill - could cause some asthmatics to become very sick.

He told the council local children would use a bus stop next to the mill about 400 times a year, and would be subjected to very high hydrogen sulphide levels.

Mr Donaldson outlined residents’ concerns about the 24 hour, seven-day-a-week operation of the mill, the dust levels, noise and the danger posed by increased heavy vehicle usage of the road.

He also said the 28,000 tonne limit annual crushing capacity was too high.

He asked council to defer a decision on the mill.

Council’s planning, environment and development committee had already voted to approve the project subject to a number of conditions.

That decision had to be ratified by a full council meeting.

Councillors asked director of planning and environmental services Michael Silver a number of questions about issues including dust monitoring, noise and traffic management.

Mr Silver said the application was consistent with the area’s rural zoning.

“In terms of environmental requirements, this development application does not trigger an EPA [Environment Protection Authority] licence - it is a local matter,” Mr Silver said.

He said council could seek conditions including dust monitoring.

Mr Silver said council could seek to defer the decision until more information was available.

Mayor Owen Hasler said councillors needed to ensure they only deferred matters if significant information was needed.

He asked if delaying the decision until the next council meeting in three weeks would cause concern.

Mr Silver said it would not.

Councillor Tim Duddy moved that the decision be deferred until the next meeting to consider dust monitoring, noise issues and times of traffic movements in relation to the school bus timetable.

Mr Donaldson said he felt it had been necessary to “say his piece” on behalf of the residents.

“It is a bit of a shame nothing was mentioned about the 24-hour, seven-day operation,” he said.

“We will wait and see what the next meeting brings.

“We are trying to get the best outcome we can. We will have to live with this 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

The application for the mill has been made by Riverina Milling.

The mill will have the ability to process up to 28,000 tonnes annually, with 9800 tonnes of oil, and 18,200 tonnes of seed meal being produced.