QLD: Minister blasts land management scare campaign

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-1999
QLD: Minister blasts land management scare campaign

BRISBANE, April 13 AAP - Rural leaders were using a scare campaign to block property
management guidelines under consideration by the Queensland government, Environment Minister
Rod Welford said today.

Rural leaders have claimed property values would be slashed by up to 80 per cent if the
government's new plans for vegetation and water management were put in place.

United Graziers Association president Noel Kennedy said farmers who had invested heavily
in irrigation systems would loose out if water allocations were cut following protests by
environmentalists pushing for increased flows in rivers and creeks.

Mr Kennedy said the government was also preparing to enforce vegetation clearing limits
applying to leasehold properties to freehold land as well.

Mr Kennedy and Queensland Farmers Federation executive director Graham Dalton said legal
advice was that farmers had a good case for compensation.

"These land management changes could be more damaging than cyclones, droughts or
bushfires," they said.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Welford said: "I urge the rural groups to play a constructive
role where they are well represented on all advisory committees involved."

"Why they would launch these petty political and outlandish claims that have no basis is
beyond me," he said.

The Queensland Conservation Council said farmers would be better off under new river
management and vegetation protection laws, despite their claims.

AAP geb/bm

KEYWORD: VEGETATION (CARRIED EARLIER)

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