OPINION
REGIONAL communities finally have their chance to overturn the unfair and unproductive native vegetation laws, which have been dogging farmers from 1995 – when Bob Carr sneaked through his backdoor legislation in a midnight raid.
But now the Coalition has given the bush a chance to cut red tape and lift the hand brake on productivity.
Although some concerns do lurk in the reform package there’s an eight-week public consultation process.
Everyone with a stake in a profitable, sustainable agriculture sector should take a look at the reforms and have their say.
It’s no use complaining about the reforms once the changes have been made. If the government needs to fix some flaws, then we must let them know.
Some aspects of the proposed laws deserve close attention.
Those who have simply waited too long to clear land (since 1990) may be disadvantaged.
It is therefore highly disappointing that maps determining whether landholders need permission (or not) to clear vegetation will be released after consultation is closed.
Another concern is the compliance and monitoring regime, given the responsible agency is yet to be determined.
Distrust between farmers and NSW Office of Environment, the current compliance agency, should encourage government to think twice before handing this onerous task to the vital Local Land Services.
Nevertheless, the case for change is undeniable. For two decades farmers have carried the can on the cost of conservation benefits on private land.
Carping from green groups should fall on deaf ears.
Locked-up scrub delivered the carbon emission reductions required by the Kyoto protocol. The only cost to the public purse was lost agricultural productivity.
Similarly, regional land values were thrown into disarray without compensation and all the while, legislation required landholders “improve or maintain” environmental outcomes.
The new laws don’t allow broadscale clearing of valuable environmental assets. But they do two important things.
Farmers are empowered to clear land, improve their agricultural assets and in return make a commitment to take responsibility for environmental assets as an offset to clearing.