Express MIDLAND
www.midlandexpress.com.au
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Australia Day honours Gisborne's Amanda Gauci has been named Macedon Ranges Citizen of the Year for her dedication to improving the local environment, community involvement and tireless work as a registered wildlife carer. She is pictured with Macedon Ranges Mayor Jennifer Anderson. Read about the local residents recognised for making a difference in our Australia Day honours, pages 6-8.
Farm build rights gone?
Landowners in the Macedon Ranges will lose their existing rights to build a dwelling on 40ha or more in the Farm Zone under a state government proposal to protect farmland. It is one of the controversial elements in Planning for Melbourne's Green Wedges and Agricultural Land Consultation Paper aimed to protect agricultural land within 100km of Melbourne.
Macedon Ranges farmers last week spoke out over the move to scrap buildrights which they argued would significantly devalue their properties. Kyneton-based town planner Sharon Macaulay said loss of the right to build in the Farm Zone over 40ha, was a "disincentive that might affect farm finances and retirement and succession planning and reduce the capacity of farm management
and upkeep". "If introduced, all Farming Zone landowners within 100km of Melbourne will then be at the mercy of councils to decide if their application to build a farm dwelling is worthy of support," she said. "The consequences of these stateproposed provisions are not fair to farm landowners and risks a loss of investment in our farming areas where incentives to
live on-farm should be provided." Removing the over 40ha build-rights in Farm Zone would not remove the landowner's rights to apply for a permit to build but it would come under critical assessment and may be subject to various conditions. The state government's paper says the move intends to create better planning outcomes. Continued page 2.
PA ALMER,, STEVENSS & RENNIC CK Barristers & Solicitors
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