In the past year, I’ve witnessed many examples of farmers getting a raw deal from the planning system. This issue crystallised last week when the Victorian Farmers Federation presented to a Panel Hearing considering three solar project applications on over 1000 hectares of irrigated land.
The Victorian planning scheme is clear on the need to protect agricultural land from non-agricultural uses, and this land was specifically identified as strategically important agricultural land. Yet the solar farm applicants argued that renewable energy facilities should always be approved, regardless of competing land values. Victoria needs to embrace alternative energy generation, including solar, and there is significant opportunity for a mutually beneficial union between agricultural infrastructure and renewable energy.
Native vegetation legislation is another area in which the impact on farmers is overlooked. The government’s recent native vegetation review process did not deliver the land-use focused and proportional planning scheme controls that its Smart Planning process aimed to achieve.
Currently a farmer on 2000 hectares removing only 10 trees faces the same planning process as a developer removing 10 trees on three hectares. This ‘one size fits all’ approach is out of touch with the reality of food production.
During the native vegetation review, we fought for many improvements to make it fairer for all landholders. One of the simple changes we recommended was to reward farmers for preparing a good application by removing third party appeals.
We challenge all candidates in the upcoming State election to acknowledge that Victorian farmers operate responsibly, and pledge to improve regulatory systems to help grow the economic value and social acceptance of Victorian agriculture.
