The Victorian Government recently proposed to make changes to the Land Act 1958 which seek to remove the existing prohibition on camping on licensed water frontages.
To put it as clearly as I can, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) strongly opposes this proposal.
Farming land is invaluable and needs to stay just that, not be transformed into a camping spot for some campers who may have little - or even no - knowledge of farms or agriculture.
Victorian farmers have enough to do, let alone deal with the added stress and burden caused by such a proposal.
I don't need to remind anyone about the tragedy that was last season's bushfires.
A lot of people impacted are still recovering and, sadly, it will take years to do so.
But one of our key concerns is the added bushfire risk from unattended camp fires, or fires lit at inappropriate times and locations.
There are also the very real issues of biosecurity problems, pollution, littering, disturbance of birthing or young animals and the illegal removal of native vegetation for firewood that ultimately could lead to license holder prosecution.
When you start to take these into account from a farmer's perspective, it begins to build a comprehensive argument as to why a proposal such as this makes no sense.
The VFF's strength has always been in having one collective, powerful voice for farmers - aiming to hold government to account and listen to the concerns of Victorian farmers.
I am urging all of our members to help us take our fight to local Members of Parliament and the decision-makers to make our voice not only heard, but also listened to in what is such an important issue for many farmers.
I would encourage all interested farmers to get in contact with the VFF to see how, together, we can make our voices heard.