Premier prepared to seek advice on land clearing laws following Fergusson case
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has said he is prepared to seek advice about land clearing regulations following outrage from farmers about a primary producer being slapped with a $100k fine.
William Farlie Fergusson was fined $100,000 after pleading guilty to unauthorised tree clearing on his family’s Grindstone Bay farm near Triabunna.
He was charged with the unauthorised clearance and conversion of 7.1 hectares of a threatened native vegetation community, specifically Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian blue gum) dry forest and woodland, and the unauthorised clearing of 11.5 hectares of trees.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Lyons MP Carlo Di Falco asked Mr Rockliff about the issue during question time in state parliament on Wednesday.
“The farming community is saying to us that these forestry regulations are out of control,” Mr Di Falco said.
“When will you act to support our farmers against this bureaucratic red tape and allow them to do what they do best?”
Mr Rockliff said he is hearing frustration from farmers around the state about the issue.
“I am more than willing and open to take advice to see what can be done to ensure a common-sense position is taken where farmers are unfairly targeted.
“I believe there is a balance needed here.
“We need to back in our productive sectors, our farmers, to ensure that they have a fair legal regime, but an opportunity to ensure their land is as productive as possible.”
Mr Rockliff said he was aware of farmers across the state who were “utterly devastated about what they are hearing”.
“These are people who go about their jobs wanting to get the best use of their land in a sustainable way.
“It only makes good sense for them to support and protect the natural resources in which they have invested in and been given.”
The Premier told parliament he was not across the intricacies of the Fergussons' case.
“But I am across the feeling.” Mr Rockliff said.
“And the feeling from farmers is that they’ve had enough and they’re frustrated.”
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TREE CLEARANCE - FERGUSSON FAMILY
Please keep the public informed of the outcome for this. Too many people suffering through actions of certain ministers without due regard or due diligence.
False information
A $100,000 fine sounds significant until you consider the long-term increase in land value and productivity that can come from illegally clearing protected vegetation. The real question is whether the penalty is enough to deter others from doing the same thing.
Frustrated Cockys
I get that the farmers are frustrated, but taking the law into your own hands is never the right way to drive change. The fine should stick and if the other farmers feel bad/angry etc about that then perhaps they can help Farmer Ferguson pay the bill. No one should be above the law.
FPA fines
The Fraud Practices Authority is a corrupt sham designed & operated to stop federal interference in the government’s logging GBE forestry tas rebadged stt. FT designed it FT drafted the laws around it .In 41 years not one FT or STT employee has ever had a criminal conviction or fine . The Fergusson family are just the latest sacrificial lamb! If after41 years of Fraud Practices Authority Oversight of the government GBEs management of millions of hectares of public native forests , we’re FORCED to reserve private land ( mortgages and rates)in the public interest .What is Fraud and deception . Sounds like you gobbled up their BS
Fergusson land case.
Unbelieveable !!! And the land belongs to whom???? Not the city slickers who push a pen. !!!! Let the farmers farm their land as they know how. This is a tragic state of affairs. Wake up people.
Tree clearing fine
This matter should have been sent to mediation to discuss and resolve the matter.