A Beloved Farm's Future In The Balance

By Amanda Wright

In the quiet community of Andergrove, a local treasure known as MAD Animal Addiction, a cherished petting farm, finds itself facing an uncertain future.

For over six decades, the property at 81 Andergrove Road has been a vibrant tableau of rural life, a place where the gentle bleating of goats and the soft rustle of feathers have harmonised with the daily rhythm of the neighbourhood. Yet, as its owner, Karen Mason, shares, recent actions by the Mackay Regional Council (MRC) have cast a shadow of doubt over its continued operation, prompting a heartfelt plea from the community and raising profound questions about the delicate balance between local regulations and the enduring spirit of community benefit.

The very earth beneath MAD Animal Addiction tells a story of continuity. Purchased in June 1964 as working farmland, it was once a part of a bustling dairy enterprise. Decades passed, and while the urban landscape grew around it with subdivisions in 1983 and 2005, the rural pulse of this unique property remained unbroken. Crucially, as Karen Mason recounts, confirmations from MRC Local Laws as far back as 2015 explicitly acknowledged the farm’s "existing use rights," granting it the permission to keep livestock without the imposition of animal number restrictions.

This understanding, she notes, was reportedly reaffirmed during subsequent Council visits in 2020 and 2023. Through years of various complaints, Ms Mason said that no issues were identified, and no enforcement actions were ever taken.

Beyond its fences, MAD Animal Addiction is far more than just a collection of animals; it's a living, breathing heart in the Mackay community.

Toni Breadsell, the Director of Kool Beanz SUNS Harrup Park, vividly illustrates this profound impact. She speaks of the invaluable educational opportunities MAD Animal Addiction offers to children, teaching them about animal care, nutrition, and fostering crucial sensory development.

"Mackay hasn't got a lot of choice for services for educational purposes," Ms. Breadsell said.

She emphasises that both children and their parents eagerly anticipate the petting zoo's visits.

"We have families wanting extra care days when the petting zoo comes to Kool Beanz – they’re very popular," she highlights, adding that the experiences create memories that last with us a lifetime.

"Being around animals can be very exciting for some and very calming for neurodivergent children,” she said.

The chorus of support from NDIS participants, aged care groups, and long-time neighbours further amplifies the profound positive influence this unique farm has on mental health and community cohesion.

Yet, Mackay Regional Council views the situation through a different lens, one of compliance with local regulations. As former Director Community Services Janine McKay explained, the Council has received "a number of animal and nuisance related complaints, including concerns about odour, from a residential property housing a range of domestic animals within a suburban area."

Ms McKay highlighted that council's local laws specifically outline "the maximum number of domestic animals that can be kept on properties within the local government area and set the minimum space requirements for each animal."

These laws, she clarified, are designed to ensure animals are housed appropriately and "do not cause nuisance such as odour and noise, or disrupt the peaceful occupancy of neighbouring properties."

A recent inspection, according to Ms McKay, indicated that "more than 90 animals were being housed on site, including sheep, goats, alpacas, pigs and a range of birdlife, far exceeding the maximum numbers allowed under council’s local laws."

The Council's stated aim is to work with the residents to achieve compliance, managing the number and types of animals to ensure local laws are adhered to and neighbouring residents are not adversely affected.

Ms Mason, however, provides a different account of the animal numbers. She asserts that the Council needs to correct its statement regarding 90 animals, a point she claims to have raised with them numerous times. Ms Mason clarifies that birdlife is allowed in unlimited numbers under current local laws, making their inclusion in the overall count potentially misleading to the public. She states that there were only 44 livestock animals, arguing that presenting a figure of 90 when more than half are permitted birdlife is incorrect.

This unfolding narrative prompts several critical questions that resonate within the community and beyond. Given the property's documented 61-year history of rural land use and the MRC's reported consistent acknowledgment of its "existing use rights" over many decades, Karen Mason asks what has prompted this recent, unexpected shift in the Council’s approach? She, along with community members, questions the sudden claim by an MRC officer in January 2025 of being "unaware" of these established rights, a statement that seems to directly contradict previous confirmations.

Ms Mason further seeks clarification, asking "why the burden has now been placed on me to prove these rights, rather than on MRC Local Laws to justify their abrupt departure from previous acknowledgment.”

Former Cr George Christensen, a vocal supporter before his resignation, expressed his profound disappointment.

"It's hard to see how the community gains anything by shutting down a long-standing, much-loved local initiative that costs ratepayers nothing but brings joy, healing, and education to so many," he stated.

Mr Christensen had formally requested that Council consider a temporary halt to enforcement, a recognition of historical use, and an investigation into planning exemptions or alternative solutions.

As our region, like many others, navigates the complexities of urban development and community well-being, the story of MAD Animal Addiction serves as a powerful reminder of the human element in policy and planning.

The community of Mackay, deeply connected to this unique farm, now waits for a resolution that acknowledges its rich history, respects its unwavering contributions, and secures the cherished presence of this local icon for generations to come.

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Maggie shares a tender moment with goat Harry, alongside alpacas Phoenix and Tiger-Lily.

Eadie delights in the company of a charming baby miniature pig.

Karen Mason, owner of MAD Animal Addiction, with her beloved alpacas, Elvis and Matilda.

Local children enjoying MAD Animal Addiction's mobile petting zoo at the recent Mackay Hospital Foundation Family Fun Day

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