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NOTICE OF INTENTION FOR AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE CENTRAL COAST PLATEAU RURAL LANDS JUNE 2007 Project Background:
At a community strategic planning workshop in October 2006, which was attended by approximately 100 community members it was unanimously agreed that the most pressing issue facing this district was how to support the long-term sustainability and viability of the farming industry of the Central Coast Plateau. As a result of the community strategic planning workshop the Central Coast Plateau Chamber of Commerce met with representatives from the Flower Growers Association, Poultry Growers Association and the Central Coast Branch of NSW Farmers to discuss the future of farming and identify issues that were impacting on its future. All present agreed that the industry was changing and its future could be in jeopardy, but most importantly that the local farming groups needed to work together. Under current conditions farming in the area is becoming less viable and unless some changes are made this trend will continue to a point of no return. E.g. citrus growing has been seriously impacted by imports, a similar situation is threatening chicken production, which is also facing massive increases in infrastructure costs and there is a real threat to other intensive industries like cut flowers where the cost of having to buy large parcels of land is inhibiting new entrants. New industries like green tea production will also come to a stand still if current urban encroachment trends continue. Farmers are increasingly challenged by legislation, impacting upon the daily operations of their business, including in the area of land use planning. In NSW there is also conflict between the authorities administering the various items of environmental legislation and the legislation itself. For example, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 are administered by Local Government and the Department of Planning. The Native Vegetation Act 2003 is administered by the Catchments Management Authorities with the Department of Natural Resources responsible for compliance. Different arms of the Department of Environment and Conservation administer the Threatened Species Conservation Act and the Protection of the Environment Operations Act. There is significant overlap between the operations of these items of legislation and a general failure to clarify jurisdiction and accountabilities of the responsible authorities. Other factors impacting on the future of farming include land use planning issues and current legislation including the current LEP, REP 8 & 9 and the Native Vegetation Act. Most Councils when drafting their LEPs are developing their minimum lot size provisions based on advice from the Department of Primary Industries, local community consultation and the ability to service the lots with essential infrastructure e.g. Roads and water. The new standardised LEP has granted the responsibility for determining issues such, as minimum lot sizes for subdivision up to local Councils. Notably the Department of Planning retains the rights to approve LEP's and in doing so ensures there is rigour in the determination of minimal lot sizes. There is a difference of views among farmers regarding sub division. For instance some farmers support the ability to subdivide their agricultural land to provide a potential income source if required. Other farmers believe that agricultural land should not be duly fragmented by subdivision, as this reduces the amount of productive land available for agriculture and increases the potential for land use conflict. The result is that land is being sold as lifestyle blocks with no primary production happening. This land will never return to farming and also these blocks threaten neighbouring farming operations by willingly or unwillingly making viable farming operations difficult. In 1998 the Central Coast Regional Agricultural Group with the assistance of the Central Coast Regional Development Incorporation prepared the Central Coast Agricultural Development Plan. This document was a strategic plan for the development of agriculture on the Central Coast Plateau for the period 1988-2002. The plan aimed to ensuring that agricultural production and associated activities are sustainable in the longer term and are significant contributors to the regional economy. Unfortunately, this plan was never implemented and is now outdated. Proposed Way Forward: As quoted from the draft Central Coast Regional Strategy the western half of the region (west of the F3 Freeway) is largely comprised of Central Coast plateaus and Wyong Valleys. These lands hold agricultural production and water supply catchments, which must be protected from urban and rural residential uses. A key environmental challenge of this includes accepting the value of rural lands as food-producing lands and ensuring the long-term protection of these assets. It is local opinion that unless significant changes occur to the current provisions, zoning restrictions and allowable activities in the LEP and unless state and local government representatives plan for the future of farming whilst considering modern farming practices and techniques the future of farming is in question. The Central Coast Plateau Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Central Coast Poultry Growers Association, the NSW Flower Growers Association and the Central Coast Branch of NSW Farmers has initiated an investigation into the future viability and sustainability of the farming industry on the Central Coast Plateau. As this will be an enormous exercise it is suggesting that an independent qualified and experienced consultant is recruited to undertake this study. An independent project reference group comprising local farming and industry group representatives and local, state and federal government delegates will be appointed to coordinate the inquiry. This will include securing funds from relevant sources to undertake an intensive research study and survey on the current status of the farming industry on the Central Coast Plateau and recommendations for its future sustainability and growth. (Please see terms of reference) Inquiry Objectives: 1. To encourage environmentally sustainable farming, as a viable and ongoing opportunity on the Central Coast Plateau 2. To preserve agriculture/horticulture on the Central Coast Plateau 3. To attract growers to the Central Coast Plateau region 4. To support retiring farmers with retaining an attachment to their land 5. Develop a pioneer model that maybe used in other areas affected by urban sprawl around NSW and Australia 6. Secure funding for a project officer to coordinate implementation of the recommendations/outcomes of the study Terms of Reference: a) Establish the extent, value and location of agriculture on the Central Coast Plateau b) Identify the key land use planning threats to the ongoing viability of the farming industry c) Advise on a preferred land use planning approach to ensure the continuation of agriculture, which takes into account the social, environmental and economic factors d) Provide specific advice on establishing minimum lot size and/or sub division constraints through local environment plans and the appropriateness of the Department of Primary Industries methodology for determining minimum lot size e) Identify models locally, nationally and internationally that will provide guidelines with flexibility on land use planning and have dealt with similar issues successfully f) Identify processes to ensure other landholders do not do not hinder a production farmer g) Develop an entry strategy for farmers from other areas to the Central Coast Plateau h) Develop a strategy to ensure labour supply for the Central Coast Plateau i) Recommendations for a retirement strategy for farmers j) Identify the future infrastructure requirements to support an expanding farming community e.g. services, schools, roads, natural gas etc. k) Recommendations on how the Central Coast Plateau can be maintained for future farming opportunities Call for Submissions: Expressions of interest will be sought from individuals/organisations with relevant experience and expertise addressing the terms of reference. Expressions of interest are to include contact details, previous experience, expertise and qualifications, anticipated timeframe, previous projects undertaken, referees, proposed methodology and an estimated project fee. Selected applicants will be provided with an opportunity to deliver a verbal presentation and discussion with the reference group at a date to be advised. -- You can download a copy of this document from here .
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