NSW Farmers conference: native veg casts its shadow

The reform was rocked by a bombshell last month when NSW Farmers withdrew support for the first draft of the government’s legislation. 

The Association said government had not disclosed crucial details on the rate and scale of clearing permitted under the proposed laws.

NSW Farmers president Derek Schoen said farmers couldn’t support the government’s reform in its current state, because draft laws hinge on yet-to-be-seen satellite property mapping which would determine clearing rates.

Murmurings of dissatisfaction emerged early in the piece. Public consultations were held across the state, where landholders aired fears that government would water-down the proposed reforms.

The Association praised government for its 2015 promise to end 20 years of farmers’ frustration and replace the NSW Native Vegetation Act with laws that would give producers more flexibility to clear and cultivate land. Initial support for the reforms flowed and NSW Farmers’ member-funded advertising campaign ran on televisions across the state.

The annual gathering at Luna Park is the first time the Association has gathered as a whole during the reform process.

Statements from the conference floor and coffee room chatter should serve as an indicator of whether policy staff, association leaders, and farmers agree on the Association’s action.

Perhaps the even more interesting conversations to eavesdrop on will be when the various players talk turkey on the Association’s options for the future.

Public feedback to the proposed reform is currently under review by government. 

Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair, who’s in charge of the legislation, will deliver the conference’s keynote address on Wednesday. 

Environmental policy has provided the most motions for debate at this year’s conference with the Cootamundra branch arguing for a reversal of CSIRO funding cuts to climate research. 

Delegates have also called for clarification over inland environmental flow rules and will debate the merits of diverting coastal rivers inland during times of flood. 

The Berrigan-Jerilderie branch, meanwhile, wants NSW to pull out of ‘disasterous’ Murray Darling Basin Plan altogether. 

Wild dog problems will also feature prominently in the conference debate.

Delegates will discuss the merits easing restrictions on trapping and baiting restrictions in wild dog ‘hot spots’, as well as the formation of local sub-groups in problem areas. 

The conference will cap Mr Schoen’s first year as president and also features talks by Roads and Freight Minister Duncan Gay, Industrial Relations Minister Victor Dominello, and Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian. 

A live stream of the NSW Farmers conference is available via The Land’s homepage. 

Tuesday July 19: Livestock, Economics, Transport, Industrial Relations. (Panel discussion: Transport)

Wednesday July 20: Cropping, Rural Affairs, plus annual general meeting. (Panel Discussion: Innovation in Ag)

Thursday July 21: Environment, plus NSW Farmers Industrial Association annual general meeting