Victorian farmers will be better protected and able to negotiate land access with mining explorers after the adoption of new voluntary land access tools.
The new guidelines come at a time when the Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed annual mineral exploration expenditure in Victoria was up 47.8 per cent to December 2018, compared to 32.6 per cent growth for all of Australia over the period.
In Victoria, before an explorer can access privately-owned land and start exploration activities, the landholder needed to provide consent.
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) welcomed the move.
"Farming and mining are both vital for the Victorian economy and rural employment. However, it's critical that support is available to help landholders work with explorers, and that explorers better understand how to minimise impacts on farms," VFF President David Jochinke, said.
"I thank the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions for working with the VFF as a key stakeholder, and for being willing to trial this new, consultative approach to land access.
Mr Jochinke said the new guidelines would ensure "we are all working off the same page" during negotiations.
"They set a standard and landholders will understand what they can and can't ask for," he said.
The previous guidelines were inadequate and did not take into account the farmer's rights.
He said farmers could negotiate access and set exclusion zones for areas including those that were environmentally significant or where sheep were lambing.
"The guidelines set out what questions landholders should ask and what, by law, is required," Mr Jochinke said.
He said that if the process was properly followed it made future negotiations easier if a mining application was applied for at a future date.
"With clear and open communication and a mutual understanding of needs, farming and mining can co-exist and the whole community can benefit. The new guide provides clear guidance on issues such as setting farm biosecurity protocols, managing impacts on crops, compensation, and dispute resolution," he said.
"It is important for farmers to understand that before an explorer can access your land, you must provide consent. I encourage all farmers and landholders to read the new guide to commercial consent agreements before they begin discussing land access with explorers.
"The VFF will continue to identify opportunities to improve mining regulation in Victoria. We encourage all primary industries to consider how the different sectors can work together for mutual benefit of each party and regional communities," Mr Jochinke said.
Minister for Resources Jaclyn Symes said minerals exploration could bring vital benefits to rural areas.
"We're making sure farmers can negotiate access with explorers to develop positive relationships and keep their land intact," Ms Symes said.
"The new land access tools will help strike the right balance - helping mineral explorers complete their vital research, but ensuring private landholders can negotiate a fair agreement on the conditions around access to their property."
Department of Job, Precincts and Regions resources manager, Fiona Clarke said Victoria's minerals exploration industry had been part of the state's economy for nearly 200 years.
"It continues to boost local towns through expenditure at supply stores, motels, petrol stations and many more businesses.
"Geoscientists believe that only half the gold that may exist in Victoria has been found so there's lots of potential for more exploration and potentially mining, which could bring even more jobs to our regions.
"The new land access consent tool and guidance materials will help rural landholders negotiate with mineral explorers searching for evidence of gold, copper and other valuable metals on private land, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and potential issues," Ms Clarke said.