Food Production Areas

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:56): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of the value of farmland.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Farming land outside Mount Barker is being adversely impacted by the redevelopment that continues quite rapidly in that area. My office has been contacted by at least one local farmer who was recently visited by the Valuer-General after a letter sent to that farmer advised them that, although part of the property is used for primary production, the property's value is enhanced because of, and I quote, 'an existing subdivision, potential for subdivision or potential for use other than the business of primary production'.

This so-called enhanced value is, of course, of no use to the farmer. It brings with it higher rates, and closer residential zoning has brought with it higher costs as stock now needs to be trucked rather than walked on the road. The buffer to separate residential land from farming land has disappeared, meaning that managing injured or sick stock can be incredibly challenging as potential impacts on neighbours have to be considered. These are not always in the best interests of the animal.

An increase to the value of that land serves no purpose to that farmer; in fact, it forces the farmer to pay higher rates to council yet there is no increase to their farm income. The only way that farmer could realise the extra value of the now revalued land is in fact by selling to a developer—and let's face it, that is not why farmers farm. Of course, this would see us lose yet more of our best primary production land to housing, and once it is gone there is no getting it back.

My questions therefore to the Minister for Primary Industries are: have you had discussions with primary producers on this issue, and what are you doing to advocate for change on their behalf?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:58): I thank the honourable member for her question. I have certainly met with primary producers as well as their peak bodies on many occasions since becoming minister 3½-odd years ago. I have had discussions in particular with the Minister for Planning in the other place and he has committed to working with industry in regard to buffer zones.

Obviously, as we go forward we need to ensure as best as possible that there is the opportunity to work collaboratively between the increase in residential development—which is part of addressing the housing crisis that we currently have—while still enabling agricultural industries to continue. They are incredibly important to our state. They are feeding the state, they are feeding the nation and they are feeding the world.