Protecting the right to farm in victoria

The Andrews Labor Government is making planning fairer, simpler and easier to understand for Victoria’s animal industries with the launch of significant reforms to Victoria’s planning scheme.

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford joined Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today to announce the sweeping reforms, which includes a $450,000 training and education initiative targeted to pig and poultry producers.

The Labor Government consulted extensively to develop these reforms as part of the government’s response to major changes in our animal industries. The new reforms bring clarity to land use planning definitions and balances the needs of agricultural businesses with environmental protection and the community.

The reforms introduce new land use definitions and associated planning controls for animal industries into the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes in Victoria.

New definitions and controls have been developed for grazing animal production, intensive animal production, pig and poultry farms, and poultry hatcheries.

The reforms provide farmers with greater flexibility to manage their farms, enabling them to make the most of market opportunities and manage seasonal risks. The reforms also introduce simplified planning processes to support outdoor pig and poultry farms that operate with low environmental and amenity risks.

Alongside the planning reforms, an extensive information and support program will be implemented. Information sessions for local government, planning professionals, industry and community will be delivered in 11 locations across Victoria, commencing in July.

The changes are expected to be gazetted and come into effect in September 2018. For more information visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/planning-animal-industries.

Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
"These important reforms will help farmers and agricultural businesses make more flexible and informed decisions to better manage their business priorities alongside any environmental and community amenity concerns."

Quote attributable to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne
"These reforms are another milestone in ensuring the Victorian planning scheme is ready to support the future growth of our animal industries."

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"This is about getting the balance right between advancing our agricultural sector and safeguarding our environment for decades to come.“"