MEDIA RELEASE FROM CRAIG INGRAM MP - MEMBER FOR GIPPSLAND EAST Issued: Monday 15 October 2007

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Ingram supports Dargo planning concerns

The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has taken community concerns to the Victorian Planning Minister following a meeting in Dargo on Saturday between local residents and Wellington Shire councillors to discuss the impact of the proposed C40 and C43 planning amendments.

“The proposed amendments are as a result of the direct translation of the State Government’s new rural zones to impose the most restrictive rural conservation zone provisions over the land,” Mr Ingram explained.

“I have received a significant amount of representation on this issue, expressing concern at the potential impact of the proposed changes to the Dargo community and landholders.

“The new zones have resulted because of historic planning scheme inaccuracies or having the new more restrictive zones applied inappropriately over traditional farming properties.

“Under the new rural conservation zones, the government’s planning practice note states that: 

• all uses are subordinate to the environmental values of the land;
• farming is allowed, provided that it is consistent with the environmental values of the area.

“The community is extremely concerned with the impact of the planning changes will place severe restrictions on traditional farming practices and other land usage in the region

“The meeting unanimously opposed the changes and discussed options to ensure that the current sustainable and valuable farming practices and land use can continue.

“I have written to the Victorian Planning Minister, Justin Madden, to express the meeting’s concern with the practice of the direct transaction, and the concerns expressed by locals with placing the Dargo community through this process.

“When you buy a farm or own a farm, you should reasonably expect to be able to continue to operate that farm.

“The rural conservation zones place this principle at risk and are not appropriate in land that has been rationally farmed for over 100 years

“I will support the local Dargo community in their concern and opposition to these zones,” Mr Ingram concluded.