A new campaign funded by the Hodgman majority Liberal Government and delivered by the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) will help to ensure that our farmers can continue to grow Tasmania’s future.
Living in rural Tasmania offers a lifestyle second to none; however, it is also important to recognise that many of these areas are important primary industry production areas, where farmers and their families make a living and contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to our economy.
The Government is providing the TFGA with $100,000 over three years for the campaign to improve neighbours’ understanding of farming activities, and clearly explain everyone’s rights and responsibilities when living near agricultural producers.
The Living next door to a Farmer campaign will be developed and implemented by the TFGA, and builds on the Liberal Government’s strengthening of the Primary Industry Activities Protection Act or “right to farm” legislation in 2016.
The campaign will work with farmers, the real estate industry, and local Government to support good neighbourly relations, especially where farmland adjoins existing or new urban and peri-urban developments.
It aims to reduce the likelihood of land use conflict in rural areas through awareness raising and new information tools to prepare newcomers for the realities of rural life.
A comprehensive information package and communications program developed by the TFGA will inform those from a non-farming background neighbouring farmland about essential farming activities and practices, as well as respective responsibilities of farmers and neighbours.
These resources will be invaluable in increasing understanding of the importance of our primary producers and recognition of their activities and how we can all assist in enabling good neighbourly relations.
A key plank of our comprehensive AgriFood Plan and target to grow the farm gate value of agriculture to $10 billion per annum by 2050, is to help farmers be competitive and provide them with the certainty and confidence to get on with the business of farming.
More Media Releases from Guy Barnett
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water