QLD: Farmers wary of Qld govt s land management plans

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-1999
QLD: Farmers wary of Qld govt s land management plans

Industry leaders say farmers will seek government compensation if property values are
reduced by changes to tree felling and irrigation laws.

United Graziers Association president NOEL KENNEDY says rural property values could be
slashed by up to 80 per cent if the Queensland government proceeded with changes to existing
land, vegetation and water management guidelines.

The guidelines are expected to be considered when parliament sits this week.

Mr KENNEDY says farmers who had invested up to $1 million on irrigation systems will not
get their expected returns if water allocations are cut back.

He says environmentalists are calling for increased flows in many creeks and rivers and
this will lead to reductions in the amount of water that can be pumped out.

Mr KENNEDY says tree felling is looming as another problem, with the government indicating
it will apply the same restrictions to freehold properties which now exist on leaseholds.

AAP RTV geb/sd/rsm/jn

KEYWORD: VEGETATION (BRISBANE)

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