AGRICULTURAL potential and Indigenous aspirations for economic development have been ignored in the Cape York Regional Plan, according to an AgForce representative for Far North Queensland.
Grazier and cattle breeder, Peter Spies, said the State Government’s draft Plan for the region would lock up an additional 1.14 million hectares of potential agricultural land as Strategic Environmental Areas (SEAs) for 30 years, the life of the plan.
“Conservatively, this represents a potential loss of agricultural production within the SEAs, of at least $400 million at farm gate – even on a low value crop like sorghum based on $200 per tonne and low yield of 1.7 tonnes per hectare,” Mr Spies said.
He said the Plan also presents a ‘roadblock’ to many Indigenous aspirations, with the region already suffering a high unemployment rate and a narrow economic and employment base.
“Potentially good agricultural land within proximity of (the indigenous communities of Aurkun and Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama, and Lockhart River) is restricted to an approval process for any development activity other than grazing; extensive dry land and irrigated cropping is prohibited outright within SEAs. That is unfair and not equitable,” he said.
Mr Spies said he does not believe agricultural potential and food security have been considered, balanced or weighted correctly in the current draft.
“I am not saying that the area should be developed. Moreover, that the opportunity to pursue agriculture and achieve some economic development should be allowed,” he said.
“If (the people of the Cape) wish to leave areas pristine, preserve for cultural purposes or develop them that should be their call.”
Mr Spies said he would like to see the government exclude the potentially high economic areas of better agricultural soils – 27.4 percent of the proposed SEAs – from the proposed Strategic Environmental Areas.
The Wilderness Society’s Queensland campaigns manager Tim Seelig agreed Cape York needs a sustainable economic future, and employment opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities need to be supported.
However, he said the Plan is destined to enable more mining, irrigated agriculture, and tree clearing to go ahead, as the Queensland government pursues its pro-mining and industrialisation agenda for the region.
“There is no alternative plan to prohibit destructive development in sensitive river areas or landscapes, and there is every sign that the state government’s proposed Statutory Regional Plan will substantially weaken current protections and fail to address other environmental priorities,” Mr Seelig said.
Comments on the draft Cape York Regional Plan close on Tuesday March 25. To have your say on the Plan, visi t www.dsdip.qld.gov.au
