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Labor Tangles Farmers In Another Layer Of Red TapeThe Bracks Government will deal Victorian farmers another blow with its plan to introduce restrictions to limit the use of central pivot spray irrigation systems. By Phillip Davis - 10th November 2004 - Back to News Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said the Bracks Government has amended Victorian Planning Provisions and will force farmers to obtain a permit if they need to remove native vegetation to use their central pivot irrigation systems.
Currently under the Victorian Planning Provisions, a permit is required to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation, except during certain rural activities including the operating or maintenance of a farm structure, which includes central pivot irrigation systems.
"We have a real conflict here in government policy, the Planning Minister Mary Delahunty, on behalf of the Minister for Environment is introducing a restriction which will limit the Minister for Water’s objective of improving water utilisation efficiency," Mr Davis said.
"Given that this is the same person, John Thwaites, there are questions about whether he has any idea what he is doing either in relation to water efficiency or vegetation controls.
"Spray irrigation systems are a much more effective use of scarce water resources than alternative flood irrigation systems, providing up to 50 per cent gains in productivity, and these amendments will limit farmers’ movement from these traditional irrigation methods to better water efficiency."
Mr Davis said the amendment would remove a right that currently exists for farmers to deal with native vegetation on their own properties to make the maintenance and operation of these high efficiency irrigators easier.
He said farmers across country Victoria were still reeling from the Bracks Government’s last change to the native vegetation regulations, which resulted in them having to apply for permits to remove vegetation as part of vermin (rabbit) control.
"I tabled a petition signed by more than 1100 farmers in Parliament 12 months ago protesting against the Bracks Government’s introduction of new permits to remove vegetation on their land," Mr Davis said.
"Under those changes, farmers now have to apply for a permit to remove vegetation in the process of removing rabbit burrows.
"Now they will have to apply for yet another permit to remove vegetation for the use and maintenance of their irrigators. This is bureaucracy gone mad."
Mr Davis said this amendment proved the Bracks Government was out of touch with country Victorians.
"Given there are 37,000 farmers throughout the state producing food and fibre, the Bracks Government should be supporting these industries instead of penalising them."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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