By KATH GANNAWAY
YARRA Ranges farmers have told their council they have no voice for their issues.
A meeting held at Yarra Glen on 12 March raised concerns the farming community has with Yarra Ranges Council’s current Environment Strategy.
The strategy is set to be replaced later this year and the council is calling for public submissions.
The meeting was organised by owner of Hoogies Hardware, Peter England, and local farmer Brett Whelan to ensure that the interests of the shire’s agriculture and horticulture sector were not overlooked in the process.
They thought the meeting necessary despite assurances from council representatives that they’re listening to the needs of the community and shaping their environmental strategies accordingly,
The Yarra Glen meeting that saw voices raised in frustration as farmers put their concerns to Yarra Ranges Council’s environment manager David Harper and Mayor Fiona McAllister.
Farmers outlined hardships caused by the current Environmental Strategy, which includes permits for taking down trees – even if they are diseased or dying.
Other concerns were over the provision of services such as roads, as well as interacting with the council, Yarra Valley Water and Melbourne Water regarding rivers and waterways on properties.
The overarching argument was a feeling of disconnection between the farming community and the council.
“We just feel that you’re (Yarra Ranges Council) very urban, and we’re not,” one attendee said.
Mr Whelan said farmers could be left feeling like they are on their own.
Hoddles Creek beef cattle farmer Matt Kerr told the Mail last week a common sense approach was needed.
Mr Kerr urged farmers to look at what is proposed in the draft strategy and to have a say in shaping the regulations that will affect the viability of farming communities in the shire.
The Kerr family runs Tibooburra Angus Stud and has vines and a truffle orchard on the 2000-acre property.
Mr Kerr said his family wanted to keep the area as farming land and to do that, common sense needed to prevail.
He said they had strong environmental values in their farming practices, including retaining bushland and shade trees for their cattle, and fencing off the creek and gullies to prevent damage to waterways.
“We have to go through the same bureaucracy here to clear a tree as someone who wants to clear a tree from their property in Lilydale,” Mr Kerr said.
Mr Harper said the meeting and further discussion with the community members was a good opportunity to hear the concerns, which would help to shape the new Environment Strategy.
The draft will be available for public comment in around four months, he said.
Issues including liveable communities, energy use and climate change, weeds and pests, fire, water and native plants and animals.
Comments can be made by calling council on 1300 368 333, writing to PO Box 105 Lilydale, 3140, emailing mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au, entering a form on the council’s website or taking part in an online forum at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au. Submissions can be made until 29 March.
