VICTORIA'S Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford has flagged a new trial system aimed at averting costly and time consuming disputes over the 'right to farm'.
During the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) chicken meat conference, Ms Pulford announced the Agribusiness Development Facilitation model, explaining it would initially cover the chicken meat industry, with the potential to extend to all sectors of primary production.
"It will be a one stop shop for applicants and responsible authorities, like councils - it's a stitch in time approach, really," Ms Pulford said.
She told producers and processors more extensive details of the model would be outlined this week.
"We recognised there is a problem, we recognise there are a combination of changes to where people are living and some lack of (planning) clarity, which is causing confusion with some councils," Ms Pulford said.
"We have been working on how we can come at this afresh."
She used David Blackmore, of Blackmore Wagyu, Alexandra, who is battling a "right to farm" case with the Murrindindi Shire Council, as an example of the need planning clarification and changes.
"This has become a lightning rod example of where an unclear definition around a tipping point between intensive agriculture and development and has resulted in an outcome we don't really want," Ms Pulford said.
"We don't want to see an award winning, iconic producer, like David Blackmore, give it away... that's very much counter to what we want in agriculture and regional development," Ms Pulford said.
"We are talking about wanting businesses to grow, to diversify, to employ more people - we don't want to be having a whole bunch of arrangements that stifle that."
She said the new model would recognise appropriate community concerns on planning issues.
"We have changing styles of farming, changing residential settlement patterns, and inevitable conflict - some of these regulations are 25-30 years old," Ms Pulford said.
Victorian Farmers Federation president Peter Touhey said people who moved into farming zones needed to be aware agricultural industries could have an impact on their lifestyle.
"If you come in set up a business or build a house in those areas, you will still be allowed to move in but you have to understand they are in an agricultural zone - there are sounds, smells, noises, things happening at all times of the day which they may not like," Mr Touhey said.
Instead of trying to change the definition of intensive agriculture, new residents needed to be told farming sometimes required feed to be brought in, from off site.
He said the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal was the proper forum to sort out planning disputes - such as the Blackmore operation.
"It's the government's role to make sure they get the planning right, which will lessen that sort of thing happening," he said.
