Melbourne

1861 readers

51 users here now

This community is a place created for the people of Melbourne and Victoria. We are a positive, welcoming and inclusive community. We might not agree about everything, but we always strive to stay civil and respectful.

The focus of our discussions is based around things that effect Victoria, but we are also free to discuss our local perspective on wider issues. Or head to the regular Daily Random Discussion thread to talk about anything.

Full Community Guidelines

Ongoing discussions, FAQs & Resources (still under construction)

Adoption Certificate for Nellie, the Daily Thread numbat (with thanks to @Catfish)

Feedback & Suggestions

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Wedge issue: rich soils of Melbourne’s fringe under siege from development (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/240986

"People are sold an illusion," says fifth-generation farmer Liz Burns, who runs livestock and grows berries, herbs and bush foods in the Hepburn shire council, which neighbours the Macedon Ranges shire, about 100km north-west of Melbourne.

Farmland seen as vacant land Farmers and planning researchers have for decades warned against development encroaching on the fertile farmland within 100km of the city.

The loss of farmland has accelerated this century, under both Coalition and Labor state governments, increasing land prices and the cost of farming.

Land-use conflict stories are common: Bellarine Peninsula farmer Noel Vallance was reportedly threatened with legal action after dust from stripping grain settled in a neighbour's swimming pool; Macedon dairy farmer Peter Grant reportedly said a planned development will curb his ability to milk at 3am.

Farmers on the fringe face uncertainty when considering investing in new sheds, land and modernisation.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

The problem is that councils are the ones who benefit financially from urban sprawl. And if the sprawl is on State government roads, they don’t need to pay for improvements.

Also, developers are offering so much money to the farmers who are being priced out by insane rate increases have no choice but to sell their generational homes and farmland.

The duopsony of Coles/Woolworths paying a pittance for produce isn’t very helpful either.