Thursday, 4 February, 2021
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Gorge debate
K hub’s on the way
Saleyards update
What’s in the diary
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PAGES 20-21
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Scheme canned By Jess Baker It was a close vote, but Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) has decided not to reinstate the controversial Invasive Pests Control Scheme (IPCS) for 2021 to 2022. Councillors Cameron Gow, Jo McNally and Sheryl Windle voted in favour of the IPCS in last week’s January meeting, while councillors Ross Bartley, Andrew Gale, Cynthia McDonald, Stephen Tancred, and Vic Pennisi voted against. Cr Marco Gliori had a declarable conflict of interest in the matter and left the meeting while the Scheme was discussed and voted on. The decision of each councillor eligible to vote ultimately came down to whether or not they supported the Invasive Pests Special Rate, as its retention was a key component of the “amended” IPCS brought to Council. Cr Gow said he thought the “amended” IPCS was a “step forward in the right direction” as it addressed all of the concerns, suggestions, and other feedback Council received in public consultation. “Particularly from the point of view of the (Southern Downs) Wild Dog Advisory group - they’ve seen three- and four-fold increases in wild dog baiting which, according to their management strategy, is best practice,” he said. Cr Gow credited the application of an Invasive Pests Special Rate for the survival of the region’s sheep industry. “It’s been the single biggest step forward in reserving (the sheep) industry here in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt,” he said. Cr McNally agreed the IPCS had seen success before its suspension in May 2020 (implemented to help the community recover economically from the effects of Covid-19), and said the Special Rate was the “wakeup call” some landholders needed to “clean up” their land. “I’ve said many times before that a line had to be drawn in the sand,” she said. “What we had wasn’t working - we need to move forward and actually protect our land for future generations.”
“I think it’s a great scheme that I’d like to see continued ... to do anything else is a step backwards.” Deputy Mayor Ross Bartley said he had “always had issues” with the Scheme, much like other producers had. “(The scheme) has changed slightly, but again, paragraph f (retention of the application of the Invasive Pests Special Rate) where those supplementary rates notices will be used as a form of penalty and effectively put someone’s property ownership in jeopardy after three years of non-payment of rates is a major concern to me.” Cr Gale said he believes the Scheme fails to represent what members of the community really want and need. “I firmly believe the only way forward with this type of scheme ... is (to have) one that is incentive-based,” he said. “I can’t support this motion in good conscience.” Cr McDonald reflected on the four years of devastation felt by members of the Southern Downs and Granite Belt community, and said the IPCS is just another burden that “hurting” families would have to bear. “In the middle of a drought, when you’re trying to support your family, and you’re putting food on your table, and you’re trying to keep yourself afloat and pay a mortgage ... worrying about potential levies and fines and Council threatening to take away your property is the last straw for any farming family,” she said. Speaking after the vote, Cr Bartley suggested cluster fencing as an alternative means to manage pests in the region and keep the Southern Downs and Granite Belt environmentally sustainable and profitable. “We are very, very vigilant about pests, but emerging ones that will cut down production on our rural properties is a big worry,” he said. “One thing that is evolving is cluster fencing ... and in other council areas, they have seen that as the best tool in the toolbox and it is working. “That is where I sit on it and I hope that we never lose sight of pest control.”
A peaceful place where the horses can heal... Local couple establishes “rehabilitation facility” Goodwood Park specifically for injured horses and those recovering from surgeries, and has more plans for the future ... story inside in our Rural Links section, PAGE 22.
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