Growers take a stand
Far North’s farmers to rally on clearing
FAR Northern landowners will have their say about new proposed vegetation management laws at a public hearing in Cairns next Friday.
Growers across the region believe the new laws, which place limits on property vegetation clearing, will slow farming growth.
Mareeba District Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association president Joe Moro said the landclearing laws would only stall growth in the region.
“Farmers won’t be able to manage their properties to do the best of their ability to grow crops because they’ll be landlocked,” he said.
“We’ve seen good growth over last 10 years and great innovation occurring on the Tablelands.”
Current land management laws require farmers to maintain 30 per cent vegetation on the property.
Mareeba grower Makse Srhoj said this was already restrictive for smaller operations.
“I cleared some a couple of years ago and am looking to The public hearing begins at 12pm at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino. A rally will be held outside state MP Craig Crawford’s office at Stanton Place on the Captain Cook Highway at Smithfield at 10am on Friday, April 13. clear more, but if the new law comes in you won’t be able clear anything,” he said.
Cattle farmer and former vegetation management officer Peter Spies urged as many people as possible to get involved next Friday.
“Farmers are custodians of their land. They want to leave their land in better condition than when they took over,” he said.
“How can the government go and approve the Adani coal mine while vilifying farmers for tree clearing, which can be done in a compliant and sustainable way?”
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