Victorian piggery seeks council approval for expansion following welfare controversies
Midland Bacon, a large pig farming operation located in Carag Carag in regional Victoria, has applied to Campaspe Shire Council for approval to expand its facility. The proposal involves constructing three additional sheds at the existing piggery site.
The facility previously attracted national attention following the release of undercover footage recorded during investigations in 2022 and 2024. Footage from the site was later referenced during the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into pig welfare and broadcast in national media coverage.
One incident recorded during the investigation involved the piggery manager’s son allegedly sexually abusing a sow confined in a farrowing crate. Criminal charges related to the incident are currently before the courts.
The expansion proposal would increase the scale of pig production at the site, where pigs are bred and raised until approximately six months of age before being transported to slaughterhouses.
The planning application has generated objections from advocacy groups and members of the public, citing concerns related to animal welfare, environmental impacts, and local land use. The proposed expansion is located near the Mansfield Swamp Wildlife Reserve.
Campaspe Shire Council is responsible for determining whether the planning permit will be granted.
Systemic relevance
This case illustrates how decisions about the expansion of intensive animal farming facilities are typically governed by local planning processes rather than animal welfare enforcement alone. Even when facilities become the subject of public controversy or investigation, regulatory frameworks may still permit expansion if planning and environmental criteria are met. The case highlights how industrial animal production can continue to grow through local development approvals despite ongoing welfare concerns or criminal proceedings connected to facility operations.