Landholders in central Qld demand clarity

The protected plants flora survey trigger map identifies "high-risk" areas where endangered, vulnerable or near-threatened plant species are present or likely to be present. The map displays such areas with a blue dot.

AgForce chief executive Michael Guerin said the so-called trigger map took precedence over a Property Map of Assessable Vegetation, which landholders previously used to assess their land and determine what activities they may or may not undertake.

A ropable Colin Dunne, Eldeebar, Dingo, said his family was in limbo pondering their next move after buying the 4500 hectare property less than a year ago.

"This property was listed as category X when we bought it, meaning we could clear virtually all of it, except the creek line which would always be left anyway, just as the previous owner did," Mr Dunne said.

"I have been very, very fortunate in life. Dad had a good start and his father did, too, and his father likewise. I am fifth generation on the land and I have a daughter in her 30s who is expecting a child and it was to be hers and our grandchild.

"But our hands are completely tied with respect to any vegetation management and its impacting on our business. The future does not look bright. In fact my daughter is saying to me 'Dad, what have you done to me?'.

"It breaks my heart and I don't believe anyone sitting in an office in Brisbane should do this without contacting the family directly involved.

"The chap we bought the property from had cared for it for over 20 years and there's no way I was going to ruin it overnight. Some bureaucrat seems to know the land better."

Graham and Joyce Tolton, Bulimba, Dingo, regarded their 800ha property where they fatten bullocks as something of a future fund after 60 years hard labour. "We don't know where we stand at the moment because no-one is telling us anything we need to know," Mr Tolton said.

"It's all very dark, secretive and wrong".

David McCamley, whose family is synonymous with the cattle industry and whose combined holdings cover more than 16,000ha, said the lack of clarity was feeding anxiety.

"We have heard you can't burn, you can't blade plough, you can't do a lot of things and we need direction and clarity. Some are even saying the property owners have to engage surveyors to inspect the land and the vegetation at their expense just to appease these new regulations.

"It is just a kick in the guts.

"We had intentions of blade ploughing from July 1. The seed was ready, the contractors were organised and it seemed like all systems go until we got wind of this only last week.

"Everything is on hold, yet no matter who you talk to at government or department level can give you a straight answer. There is a lot of buck-passing going on."