By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
YARRA Ranges Council last night rejected a motion to rescind it’s decision to abandon a planning scheme amendment on intensive farming.
At a meeting on 11 August, council voted down plans to have the amendment and accompanying submission considered by an independent panel.
The motion to rescind the previous decision was lost by just one vote with both sides of the issue presenting passionate arguments.
Marilyn Cumerford of Yellingbo spoke in opposition to rescinding the decision and raised concerns the amendment would open the door for intensive farming practises in the Yarra Valley that would undercut smaller farming operations.
“You can farm but you need to farm traditionally, not intensively,” she said.
“Just because some people were not happy with the last decision does not mean it needs to be revisited. Democracy means sticking to the decisions that are made even if you disagree with them.”
Speakers in favour of the motion argued that sending the submissions to a panel of experts would deliver a more fair and comprehensive review of the issue.
“We are lumped in with the worse intensive forms of farming under the current definition,” said Andrew Stritch, co-owner of the Happy Valley pig farm in Wandin North. “We want a review by a panel of experts to determine the validity of farming methods on a case-by-case basis.”
Clive Larkman, chairman of Agribusiness Yarra Valley, said those in opposition to this decision did not understand the purpose of the councillor’s motion.
“We are not looking to have the amendment changed today,” he said during his presentation.
“We want this referred to a panel of experts to weigh up all sides independently.
“The way this prohibition is currently means Yarra Valley farmers will end up with only horses, black berries and horticulture,” he said.
Councillors were equally split over the motion to rescind the decision from 11 August.
Cr Cox was concerned a permit system doesn’t always work and there are always farms that slip through the system.
Cr Cliff said the State Government was currently investigating the definition of intensive animal husbandry and it should be left up to them to decide on the issue.
Cr McAllister pointed out council had surveyed 3000 people and 165 submissions were received against amendment C146 with less than 10 submissions in support.
“The silence has been deafening in support of this motion,” she said.
“If I could change that definition I would, but to open the doors to more intensive farming practises is short sighted.”
Cr Clarke said the council needed a panel of agricultural experts from the minister so the whole state could benefit from it.
“It’s a very complex issue and it should be handled by experts. You can’t expect our planning committee to become agricultural experts overnight,” he said.
Cr Witlox pointed out that two five-minute presentations were not adequate to cover such a complex issue and he would like more information from a panel of experts before council made a decision like this.
Cr Callahan said he understood the frustration from those opposed but said council had only heard limited people and they are not experts in agricultural practises.
“Lots of industry in the Yarra Ranges is agricultural and five per cent of our employment is in farming,” he said.
“Fairness needs to happen here. We are not allowing permits here tonight; we want a panel so everyone can be heard.”
Mr Larkman said the decision should be based on fair opportunity.
When asked if he felt it was fair for council to have voted down the motion based on the presentations given in the meeting, he was critical of the missed opportunity for farmers who may have been too busy to attend the meeting.
“Farmers don’t have time to write letters and attend council meetings, they are busy farming,” he said.
“It’s more than unfair; it’s undemocratic and not sensible.”
Happy Valley pig farm has since altered feeding practises to comply with council prohibitions of farming in green wedge zones.
Read more here about Happy Valley here.
