Mond

Monday, 28 August 2006

SYKES: SERIOUS CONCERNS WITH SPECIAL USE ZONE

I have serious concerns with the special use zone proposed by the Strathbogie Shire Council.

The Council face a very difficult situation of rising costs and insufficient income – much of the problem being due to cost shifting, especially by the State Government.

The proposed special use zone is seen as one means of increasing the Shire’s rate income however since the idea was first mooted a couple of years ago, community concerns have increased to the point where over $35,000 has been raised to fight the proposal.

I have monitored the evolving situation closely, keeping in touch with both Strathbogie Shire Council and the Goulburn Riverine Plains Responsible Planning Group.

One of my main concerns is the inability to control current odour problems associated with one or more of the current intensive industries.

It is inappropriate to increase the number of intensive businesses (and therefore potential odour problems) until the existing odour problems are overcome.

I know from my veterinary experience of the difficulty in managing odours but I do welcome Strathbogie Shire’s attempts to better define the current problem as the first step to finding solutions.

A second major concern is the current planning rules which mean that an intensive business can require buffer zones which encroach onto neighbouring properties which place significant land use restrictions on neighbours who gain no benefit from the intensive business.

It seems to be a matter of common sense and social justice that intensive agricultural operators, especially in green field situations, should have sufficient land for buffer zones to be entirely within their own property boundaries.

The third major concern which I have is the increased demands on local infrastructure, especially roads and bridges, by intensive industries. There needs to be a massive injection of funds for infrastructure, maintenance and upgrade – by the State Government, to address this issue.

Finally, Australia is a democracy and surely the voices of the people most impacted by the proposal, must be listened to and acted upon.

The solution.

Strathbogie Shire, like many other Local Government areas with a small number of rate payers, needs significant increases in income from external sources.

The Nationals propose that 1% -3% of GST be allocated direct to Local Government with the ‘lion’s share’ going to those most in need, such as Strathbogie.

This would initially generate an extra $80m per year to local Government, rising to $240m per year.

For Strathbogie Shire, this means $1,941,000 per year – that will pay for a heck of a lot of road and bridge maintenance.

With this assured income, Strathbogie Shire can continue to produce first class prime lamb, wool, beef, grain and wine as well as grow its reputation as the horse capital of Victoria and of course continue to be a great place to live – as many locals and people moving into the Shire from Melbourne will heartily testify.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989