Jock's Blog
Government to sell Hurlstone
It is with disappointment that I hear the State Government is considering selling up to 140 hectares of land at Hurlstone Agricultural High School.
While I understand the need for the Government to sell off ‘surplus’ land, I certainly question whether the valuable farmland at Hurstone can be considered ‘surplus’. I would argue that this decision certainly doesn’t take into consideration the importance of this school and its farm in providing an agricultural education to city and country students.
Hurlstone is a unique school – it is the only State funded agricultural boarding school in Sydney, and only one of the three State funded agricultural boarding schools in the State. It provides a vital link in bringing together city and country students, and provides a practical hands-on farm education.
The proposal to sell of up to 140 hectares of the school’s existing 160 hectares by 2011 means the school will be left to run its agricultural program on just 20 hectares. This would force the loss of the school’s prized dairy farm and seriously impact on the study of agriculture and farming.
At a time when the Association is trying to increase the awareness of agriculture to a broader urban audience, it is a terrible shame that the Government is looking at selling the only example of a school-based working farm in the Sydney basin.
Scholarships now open
University holidays are fast approaching, which for many students means a well-deserved break, a chance to catch up with family and friends, and possibly even an opportunity to dip a foot into their chosen career.
The holidays are also the time when students and their families start planning for next year and thinking of their finances, which is why I am encouraging all tertiary students to apply for the 2009 Tertiary Education Scholarship Program, run by the Association.
The program has been running for 16 years, with more than 80 graduates across NSW benefiting from the receipt of an Association scholarship.
People in country NSW are doing it tough at the moment, and cost is a major barrier for students hoping to attend university. At a time when financial pressures are really being felt by farming families and rural communities, students away from home to go to uni or do other tertiary training are really feeling the pinch.
The scholarships, each worth $5000 and funded by the Association and the Goobang Group.
Applications are open to Association Members or children of Members, who are full-time students studying at a recognised tertiary institution. The applicant, their partner or their parents must have been full Members of the Association for at least the past two years to qualify.
Applications close on Friday 30 January 2009, so make sure you download an application form from our website: www.nswfarmers.org.au and post or fax it to us today.
Bush air services grounded
Members have been raising concerns about the axing of regional air services into regional areas including Narrabri, Cobar, Bourke, Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Mudgee. This will be devastating for isolated outback towns such as Bourke that rely on this service for several reasons other than private commuting such as health professionals, police matters, court matters, etc. This issue is currently being looked at by the NSW Farmers Association. Regional Express will stop servicing these communities from 20 December. Qantas is planning on axing their flights to Narrabri and are cutting the number of daily flights to Tamworth. REX has already cut back on their regular flights into and out of Lightning Ridge and Walgett with no flights now on Monday or Tuesday. From now on this will mean a long three hour drive to Walgett or an even longer four hour drive to Lightning Ridge.
$20,000 for Vegetable Demonstration Farm
Today the Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, announced that the NSW Government would provide $20,000 to the Vegetable Demonstration Farm at Richmond. The announcement was made while the Minister was participating in a NSW Farmers’ Association hosted farm tour of the Sydney Basin.
The tour visited the Vegetable Demonstration Farm at the University of Western Sydney-Hawkesbury. Tally Matthews, Young Farmer of the Year, provided a guided tour of the Vegetable Demonstration Farm and its potential to bring over 350 growers together on a regular basis in a neutral environment to view good management practices and the performance of new varieties. At the conclusion of the tour the Minister announced that the NSW Government, through the DPI, would provide $20,000 to assist with the labour costs of running the demonstration farm. This is great news in such tough economic times.
Mini-budget brings cuts to DPI
Yesterdays Mini-budget ripped a big hole in DPI’s services to the bush. Vital services provided by the Department of Primary Industries will no longer be provided by the Department following the announcement that research stations will close and voluntary job redundancies will continue to occur. I have called on the NSW Government to explain how they intend to continue to deliver these vital services to the bush. This announcement will have a big impact on ag as well as the social fabric of our bush communities. The NSW Farmers Association is looking for the Government to provide details on its future plans for the research projects currently being undertaken at the stations. Job losses in country towns will obviously have a flow on effect to local schools and businesses.
Mini-budget must support rural NSW
Today the NSW Government will hand down its first Mini-budget in four years in order to address economic concerns. The Mini-budget must address critical issues facing our bush communities. Our members are well aware that the state faces tough economic times and needs to adjust expenditure. Yet the bush continues to struggle with the ongoing drought which further budget cuts will only help to exasperate. We will examine the detail of the Mini-budget and seek to meet with the Government to discuss the Mini-budget’s impact on ag and on rural communities.
Horticulture Imports
Association horticultural members are not happy about reports indicating that in 2007, for the first time in Australia’s history, we imported a greater tonnage of horticultural produce than we exported. Horticultural producers are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with imports and at the Association’s 2008 Horticulture AGM, a motion was passed that seeks immediate action be taken by the Federal Government to stop the increasing number of horticultural products entering Australia.
Josh Galbraith
I was saddened to hear of the sudden death of Josh Galbraith, son of the Association’s Bilpin Horticulture Branch Chairman. The horticultural and Bilpin communities were in shock and disbelief when 18 year old Josh’s life was prematurely ended after a tragic car accident earlier this week. Josh’s father, John Galbraith is an active Association Elected Representative. The communities are deeply saddened and grieving. The Association sent their condolences and was represented at the service by staff, an Elected Representative, and members.
Hail Assistance Available
The NSW Government's announcement this week about hail assistance for fruit growers on the north coast, mid north coast and northern rivers regions was much appreciated.
The Government has responded quickly to the hail storms which caused $6m in damages to fruit crops. Growers now have access to the Natural Disaster Relief Assistance fund to help replace or repair hail damaged infrastructure. The NDRA will alow growers to access loans up to $130,000 at reduced interest rates with a two year intererst free and repayment free period. More information is available from the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or at www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
Productivity Commission undermines farming
The release of the Productivity Commission report on drought is extremely concerning for the future of agriculture. The PC report is an attempt to force a structural change on our industry during one of the worst droughts in Australian history. The report’s recommendations may have a devastating impact on sections of Australian agriculture. Certainly further consultation with farmers is required. The report recommends the removal of Exceptional Circumstances drought assistance by June 2010. This will leave affected farmers in a very difficult position. This time line does not take into consideration a recovery phase and with 69 percent of our state in drought, 20 months is simply not enough time for farmers to adjust.
Executive Council
It has been a busy week so far with Executive Council meeting in Sydney on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Monday a number of Association Committees met for face to face meetings too. EC considered and voted on a number of motions held over from Annual Conference as well as a range of urgency motions that were put forward. EC decided to lobby for a Serrated Tussock Executive Officer/Coordinator to provide for an effective approach for the weed’s control. EC also decided to lobby both State and Commonwealth Governments in a bid to keep open the historic Merbein Horticultural Research Laboratory, near Mildura. Other issues include calling for increased fire protection zones for properties adjoining public land or national parks and tax changes to help with drought preparedness. Executive Council will next meet face to face in March 2009 in Tamworth.
Red Tape Reform
Today the Minister for Regulatory Reform, Joe Tripodi MP, released the State Government’s annual report on removing red tape. It makes for interesting reading. The report highlights 128 reforms that it claims will ease the red tape burden on business in NSW. Let’s hope that the Government listens and reduces red tape for the ag sector. The early signs are good with regard to the new driver fatigue regulations. The NSW Farmers’ Association welcomed the Roads Minister’s 12 month exemption for farmers regarding the driver fatigue regulations. Minister Michael Daley has organised a meeting in November of organisations representing rural truck drivers to discuss the reforms. Let’s hope he understands the negative impost these regulations will have on farmers who are just trying to go about their daily duties of managing their farms. We wait and see.
Until next time ….
Locusts
Over 1,900 reports of locusts have been received by the DPI and RLPBs to date. The NSW Government has indicated that they have enough chemical to treat more than 48,000 hectares of locust bands. This chemical is in the process of being distributed. Hundreds of landholders have attended public information meetings throughout the state. With the warmer weather farmers are being urged by the DPI to keep up the good work and continue to look for locust hatchings. It is important to report and new hatchings to your local RLPB and get the chemicals delivered to get on with spraying them before they take to the air.
Droughts social impact reported
The NSW Farmer's Association has welcomed the final report from the Commonwealth Government's review of the social impacts of drought on farmers and rural communities. The expert social panel has undertaken a thorough assessment of the social impacts of drought on farming families and their communties.
I have said time and time again, the social impact of drought can not be underestimated.
Farmers, farming families and rural communities continue to face incredible hardships and uncertainties: the prospect of failed crops and relationships, the impact on mental health and physical wellbeing, the loss of support services, the lack of education and training.
The Report reinforces our view that we need a proactive long-term plan for supporting rural industries and communities, so that they are prepared for, and can cope with, inevitable future periods of drought.
We particularly agree with the Report’s recommendation that a transition strategy be implemented to provide Government investment when current drought declarations have finished, and welcome this long-term thinking from the Panel.
Over 800 locust hatching reported
As of today a total of 804 confirmed hatchings of locusts have been reported in the Central West, South West and Riverina since 26 September. If control is not undertaken within the next 7–10 days, the undetected or unreported locust bands will mature into adults and form swarms, causing major damage to crops and pasture throughout the state. Forward Command Posts (FCP) have been set up in the Wagga, Narranderra and Forbes RLPB. Landholders are asked to contact the RLPB in the event of sighting hatchings. I again stress the importance of checking your property and reporting any hatchings you may see.
Mental Health Workshops
Once again I take the opportunity to encourage farmers to take advantage of the free mental health information sessions taking place across New England and Central West regions this week. The information sessions will take place at Merriwa, Walcha, Mudgee, Bathurst, Coolah, Cassilis, Cowra, and Young.
The sessions, run by the NSW Farmers’ Mental Health Network and funded by NSW Health, aim to help farmers, rural service providers and rural communities to understand the warning signs of too much stress, depression and anxiety.
The workshops will be run by Dr Leanne Craze and will be held at a range of times, including mornings, lunch and evenings in an attempt to cater for the busy lives of farmers and rural communities.
For further information or to book a place at the Mental Health Information Sessions, contact Dr Craze at Craze Lateral Solutions on (02) 6238 1549 or leanne.craze@bigpond.com.
Grain freight taskforce
Today the Commonwealth Government announced the $3 million high level review being established to look for ways to rebuild an efficient grain transport network in NSW. The NSW Farmers Association will be pushing for an effective grain network to be established. The restricted rail line network is in serious decay and in need of major upgrades. The question over who will pay for the infrastructure upgrades will be an interesting debate. The review will consider future cropping patterns, the impact of climate change and the capacity of infrastructure to transport the grain in future years.
Locust Plague - Be Vigilent to Report
The NSW Farmers’ Association has been working closely with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Rural Lands Protection Boards and the Australian Plague Locust Commission in order to prepare for the current locust control program.
Large numbers of locust bands have been detected in parts of the Riverina, South West and Central West with the areas around Narrandera, Wagga Wagga, Grong Grong, Coolamon, Forbes, Condobolin, Young and Temora the most affected. There has been more than 310 confirmed reports of locusts across the State and the next 2 weeks will be critical in determining the extent of the locust problem.
I would like to urge you to be vigilant in reporting all plague locust activity in your area to your Rural Lands Protection Board because locust bandings have occurred in southern NSW and there is concern this could lead to swarms with the possibility of a potential plague.
More information can be found at: www.nswfarmers.org.au
Pre-harvest branch meetings
Pre-Harvest branch meetings are being held throughout the state. Some branches have had their local Graincorp regional manager come along to give an update on predicted tonnage of area, warehouse cashflow schemes, silos operating, freight rates, storage and handling rates.
Farmers continue to be concerned over the introducion of zero tolerance for overloaded trucks, the national driver fatigue reform and having to monitor contract truck drivers log books. Producers are being advised to familiarise themselves with pool terms and conditions and not to take the new Driver Fatigue and overloading laws lightly.
NRAC to visit Central North/North West
The Federal Government has formally asked for advice from the independent National Rural Advisory Council (‘NRAC’) on a possible extension of drought assistance in parts of the Central North North-West Exceptional Circumstances (‘EC’) area. The Federal Government has advised that the areas proposed to be considered for a possible recommencement of Exceptional Circumstances assistance include: most of the Coonabarabran Rural Lands Protection Board (‘RPLB’); the Northern Slopes RLPB; Division B of Moree RLPB, northern parts of Divisions A and B of Tamworth RLPB, northern parts of Division A of Armidale RLPB – including the towns of Bingara, Barraba, Inverell and Warialda; and division C of Tamworth RLPB, including the towns of Quirindi and Werris Creek. NRAC will be touring these areas late next week and the Association is currently working closely with the NSW Department of Primary Industries in order to arrange the tour.
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Government to sell HurlstoneScholarships now open
Bush air services grounded
$20,000 for Vegetable Demonstration Farm
Mini-budget brings cuts to DPI
Mini-budget must support rural NSW
Horticulture Imports
Josh Galbraith
Hail Assistance Available
Productivity Commission undermines farming
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