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Labor’S Fence Replacement Policy – Another Broken PromiseThe Bracks Government must honour its election promise to assist farmers who had their fences destroyed by bushfires originating on Crown land, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said today. By Philip Davis - 7th March 2005 - Back to News Mr Davis said the recent bushfires at Telangatuk in western Victoria had devastated more than 10,000 hectares of farm land and destroyed 226km of fencing.
"The fire was started by a camp fire on Crown Land and killed 6393 sheep and destroyed 4000 hectares of pasture, 490 tonnes of hay and 125 tonnes of grain," Mr Davis said.
"Farmers in this region who were affected by the fires are now dealing with agricultural losses totaling more than $2.5 million.
"Given this substantial financial burden, the Bracks Government must step in and provide funding to assist in the replacement of boundary fencing adjoining Crown Land."
Mr Davis said the Bracks Government made a commitment to rural and regional Victoria during the 1999 election campaign to assist in the replacement of boundary fences.
Labor’s 1999 election policy states:
"the Crown should contribute half the cost of constructing or repairing a dividing fence between Crown land and private property which is destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster, when the cost of replacement or repair is not otherwise recoverable."
Mr Davis said the Bracks Government’s current fence policy is another broken promise because now it says it will only assist properties adjoining Crown land if the fire was the result of prescribed burns or machinery use on Crown land.
A Liberal Government will contribute half the cost of constructing or repairing a dividing fence between Crown land and private property which is destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster, when the cost of replacement is not otherwise recoverable.
"The Liberal Party believes half the cost of constructing or repairing Crown land boundary fences destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster should be met by the Victorian Government," Mr Davis said.
"Through no fault of their own, farmers in Telangatuk have found themselves without vital boundary fences to control surviving livestock.
"The Bracks Government must honour its pledge to assist farmers affected by Crown land fires."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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