Tasmanian farmers today welcomed the state government’s announced changes to the parks and reserves management structure,
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive, Jan Davis, said the involvement of the public in draft management plans before they go to the Minister for consideration was a long overdue step towards a more transparent and inclusive process.
With more than half the state now in some form of reserve or park, many Tasmanians share boundary fences with a government neighbor. The requirement to make management plans public will provide adjoining landowners with information as to planned management practices.
Ms Davis served notice that farmers and other landowners would be on their guard to ensure that the new management plans pay particular attention to threats to private land emanating from the enlarged reserve estate to neighbouring private land. These threats include wildfire, pests and diseases, and weeds.
“Maintenance of fencing is a key priority, too. TFGA will continue pressure on the government to adopt a good neighbor charter that recognises their responsibilities in this regard,” she said.
“This works both ways,” Ms Davis said. “Farmers are expected to respect the status of neighbouring reserves and ensure their activities do not impact on protected areas. They have a reasonable expectation that the managers of those state-owned reserves will respect threats to private land.
“Having said that, we recognise that this is a big change and we are keen to work with government to deliver the best possible outcomes for all Tasmanians,” Ms Davis said.
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis
