Environmental management for piggeries

If you are operating a piggery in Queensland, you must comply with Australian and Queensland laws and regulations.

Queensland

Piggeries with 400 or more standard pig units in Queensland are environmentally relevant activities (ERAs) under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019.

To legally operate, you need:

These approvals contain environmental management conditions.

Apply for an environmental authority

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) issues EAs for piggeries.

Use the licences and permits finder to find out what you need to include in your application.

Apply for an EA:

Register as a biosecurity entity

If you keep one or more pigs, you must register your property with Biosecurity Queensland.

Local or site-specific requirements

Before purchasing land for a piggery, check with the local council for any environmental management requirements, such as separation distances from houses.

Talk to DPI about site-specific requirements.

National guidelines

The National environmental guidelines for piggeries encourage operators to be environmentally sustainable and to operate with minimum environmental impact.

The guidelines include:

  • buffer distances
  • ways to minimise, compost or re-use by-products
  • effluent collection systems
  • environmental risk assessment
  • performance assessment and monitoring
  • environmental management plans
  • emissions reporting and regulations
  • options to improve positive environmental outcomes.

Manage environmental impacts

You must consider your general environmental duty and incorporate management strategies to prevent or minimise environmental harm.

Read the National environmental guidelines for piggeries for more details on how to manage odour, waste and other environmental concerns.

Legislation