A development application for a medical cannabis cultivation facility in New South Wales’ Bathurst region has been lodged with Bathurst Regional Council.
The proposed site located at Watton, around 23 kilometres from the heart of Bathurst, would be used to grow medical cannabis in a greenhouse environment, along with processing and packaging activities. It’s expected the facility will produce around 8 tonnes of medical cannabis per annum – whether that is total biomass or finished product isn’t clear.
Development would include construction of a 4,350m2 fully enclosed glasshouse and a 1860m2 building housing 6 production rooms, store, vault (for finished product) and dispatch area. The operation will be monitored 24/7 and other security features include the erection of various fencing (2 fences and then barriers around the building) in order to meet state and federal requirements.
The proponent notes the facility will employ up to 50 people when fully operational, so it could provide significant local economic benefit.
Aside from the plant material itself, there’s a green focus on how the facility will operate. Partly powering the facility will be solar energy and there’s mention of treating some of the water associated with operations for re-use through a reverse osmosis system.
The products to be manufactured at the facility aren’t specified, but will be used for managing chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and pain associated with palliative care.
The subject land is zoned RU1 Primary Production.
It’s not clear which way Council is leaning on this project as the development application was only lodged this week and will go before a new council following a local government election early next month
The applicant noted on the development application is Blake O’Sullivan, CEO and Founder of BetterGreen. Mr. O’Sullivan is a cancer survivor and strongly attributes his recovery to medical cannabis. Aside from his personal experience, BetterGreen says Mr. O’Sullivan has 10 years’ project management and contracts experience, with an expertise in complex builds and large budget projects.
The Bathurst region was selected by BetterGreen for its excellent cannabis growing climate along with its access to high quality and naturally abundant water resources.
Further information on the proposed project can be found here.
Elsewhere in New South Wales, Cann Pharmaceutical Australia submitted a development application for a medical cannabis facility in the Tamworth region in June this year.
