16th February 2007Plans to develop agricultural production in northern Australia via the Federal Government’s $10 billion water reform package may be halted by the inability of farmers to own and control their property in the north of Western Australia.
Pastoralist and Graziers Association grains policy director, Slade Brockman, says lack of land ownership is a major stumbling block to the Federal Government’s plans to tempt farmers to shift or diversify their farming enterprise to where more water is readily available.
While Mr Brockman commended the PM’s multi-billion dollar water strategy and the establishment of a task force designed to examine the potential of broad-scale agriculture in the north of Australia, he warns the committee has some large hurdles to clear in WA before farmers will seriously consider shifting north from their current locations.
“While it is clear there is plenty of water in the north, particularly in the Ord development, land tenure remains a significant barrier to developing significant industries and population centres in the north,” Mr Brockman said.
“Without security of tenure, farmers will be reluctant to relocate.
“Farming remains a generational enterprise with the sense of building wealth for the future remaining an import part of farming business decisions.
“Lack of land tenure, in the form of perpetual leases and freehold land, continues to be the single biggest obstacle preventing the north of WA from becoming a significant source of agricultural wealth.”
State Agriculture Minister, Kim Chance, says the PGA has made a good point with regards to the issue of land tenure, and while the Government is aware of the problem, it has not yet developed a clear solution.
“It is important to resolve the various issues associated with land tenure in order to encourage irrigated agriculture in the north of the state,” Mr Chance said.
SOURCE: Extract from full story in the February 15 issue of Farm Weekly, WA’s leading rural newspaper.
