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Wedge issue: rich soils of Melbourne’s fringe under siege from development (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

12 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/240986

"People are sold an illusion," says fifth-generation farmer Liz Burns, who runs livestock and grows berries, herbs and bush foods in the Hepburn shire council, which neighbours the Macedon Ranges shire, about 100km north-west of Melbourne.

Farmland seen as vacant land Farmers and planning researchers have for decades warned against development encroaching on the fertile farmland within 100km of the city.

The loss of farmland has accelerated this century, under both Coalition and Labor state governments, increasing land prices and the cost of farming.

Land-use conflict stories are common: Bellarine Peninsula farmer Noel Vallance was reportedly threatened with legal action after dust from stripping grain settled in a neighbour's swimming pool; Macedon dairy farmer Peter Grant reportedly said a planned development will curb his ability to milk at 3am.

Farmers on the fringe face uncertainty when considering investing in new sheds, land and modernisation.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The premium arable land of the south east has been progressively cannibalized for decades, and continues to be all in the face of increased climate risk. Beyond my inclination toward NIMBY complaining and the eradication of what was a small country town community that I, my parents and my great great grandparents grew up in, we're setting ourselves up for significant food security issues.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I get what you're saying, but there's a lot lot lot of farming country between Pakenham and Bairnsdale....

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

yes and no. we vastly misuse our arable land with outmoded methods and in pursuit of subsidies; with population growing the way it is we already lack vital land