HOT on the heels of an election NSW Farmers President Fiona Simson will be in Tenterfield today to discuss sweeping issues.
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Ms Simson will attend events in Tenterfield, Armidale and Glen Innes and will join NSW Farmers Environment Policy Advisor Adair Moar and Livestock Policy Director Jaimie Lovell to discuss key local issues impacting on local food and fibre production.
Native vegetation laws are expected to be a headline topic following an election commitment from the Coalition government to overhaul the Native Vegetation Act.
Ms Simson said some of the commitments include the repeal of the Native Vegetation Act 2003, the removal of the “unworkable and unnecessary improve or maintain standard” and the move towards the treatment of land use change as a planning consideration.
“While we were disappointed this work was not done in the previous term of government - we must move on and acknowledge the Coalition government’s clear plan on this issue,” she said.
Ms Simson said the government has recognised that environmental outcomes and food production outcomes can go hand in hand without perverse outcomes for farming practices
“We are keen for an outcome for farmers as soon as possible, yet understand the complexities involved with this large piece of work. We will be holding the Coalition parties to their timeline on this issue.”
Ms Simson kept a close eye on election debate and was surprised by how some discussions played out.
While coal seam gas became an inescapable topic for the north coast, Ms Simson says it wasn’t a key factor across rural electorates in much of NSW.
“Coal mining and CSG were identified as big issues going into this election and two seats to the Greens would indicate that they are big issues,” Ms Simson said.
“However, what is also indicated is there are a number of big issues in NSW in agriculture.”
Ms Simson said issues, including changes to native vegetation laws, infrastructure spending and health were bigger issues across regional areas like Tenterfield.
“If I'm looking at my membership across the state, reform of the Native Vegetation Act is one of the biggest policy issues that we've dealt with over the past 10 years.
“CSG and mining tend to be localised issues,” she said.
Ms Simson will be at the Tenterfield Golf Club today from 12pm
