The Queensland Government must ensure it actually manages everyday issues like pests, weeds and fire on a Cape York cattle station it has bought, AgForce said today.
The call comes amid reports the Queensland Government has spent $7 million of tax payer money to purchase the fully operational cattle station, Springvale, south of Cooktown in a bid to stem sediment flowing into the Great Barrier Reef.
AgForce General President Grant Maudsley said the Queensland Government had a history of buying properties to expand conservation estate without actually allocating enough money for ongoing management.
"Like all Australians, farmers want to ensure the Great Barrier Reef is protected and preserved for generations to come," he said.
"The agriculture sector is doing its bit to improve water quality through the roll-out of Best Management Practice programs which help farmers benchmark their business against the best industry standards using the best available science.
"While it has been reported in the media that the Queensland Government paid $7 million for a Cape York cattle station, the management and remediation of this property could cost millions yet this doesn't appear to have been budgeted for.
"It begs the question - what is the long term strategic plan here?
"Our experience has shown that rural landholders adjacent to national park estate purchased by the State Government face a constant battle against pests, weeds and fire because there is insufficient funding for park management and the parks are managed remotely hundreds of kilometres away.
"Poor management by Government can actually damage the valuable ecosystems in the areas they are meant to protect.
"Will the Queensland Government be implementing the Grazing Best Management Practice program on this latest property they have purchased?
"How much has the Queensland Government set aside for remediation and management of this property and for any future acquisitions they may make?”
The purchase has also been criticised by Queensland LNP Senator Barry O’Sullivan who has called on the Palaszczuk Government to explain whether it now plans to become a major buyer of Queensland rural properties in its push to enforce its extreme green agenda.
Senator O’Sullivan said the purchase of Springvale set a precedent where the Labor Government had demonstrated a willingness to purchase land in order to deliver on its extreme green policy agenda.
Senator O’Sullivan said he questioned whether this was an appropriate use of public funds amid the current tough economic climate.
“The Palaszczuk Government appears to believe farmers are to blame for all the environmental problems in Queensland,” Senator O’Sullivan said.
“Jackie Trad and her mates could fix these problems pretty quickly – and win a lot of votes from inner city greens - if they just started bidding for every rural operation that comes up for sale.
“Tens of thousands of landholders across this state are experiencing significant anxiety as the debate about these land clearing laws continues.
“Some might take comfort from knowing Steven Miles is going to come to the rescue with a buyout figure.
“Otherwise, Labor needs to explain why these people don’t deserve compensation if their rural businesses are crippled due to Labor’s extreme green agenda.
“Where will this Labor Government stop in its blind ambition to secure green votes for Jackie Trad and Steven Miles?’
