Press Release

Pastoralists and Graziers’ Association President Rob Gillam today welcomed an offer by Environment Minister Donna Faragher to consult on a range of issues affecting rural West Australians.

Mr Gillam said PGA concerns raised at a meeting with the Minister today had related to the Carpenter Government’s proposed ban on water soluble fertilisers, coastal boundaries for the proposed world heritage listing of Ningaloo Reef, and anomalies in the scope and administration of clearing provisions under WA legislation.

“The new Government needs to clearly rethink banning the use of water soluble fertilisers in the light of modern technology and the serious impact on productivity such a ban would have over our most productive agricultural and horticultural regions,” Mr Gillam said.

The PGA President said that Kimberley pastoralists were also keen to work with the Minister on the State Government’s Conservation and Science strategy and provide input into the Federal Government’s proposed national and world heritage listing of the West Kimberley region.

“Kimberley stakeholders, including both pastoralists and Indigenous pastoral interests, expect the State Government to ensure that they are not disadvantaged by any future federal interest in the region,” Mr Gillam said.

“They recognise the need to protect unique sections of the north Kimberley coast but will resist any moves that threaten to restrict the operation of cattle stations that have operated in the region since the 1880’s.”

Mr Gillam said the PGA was also looking forward to advising the Minister on anomalies in clearing provision legislation introduced by the previous Government.

“There are now some costly, unnecessary legal impositions on rural landholders, created by a raft of inflexible rules and regulations.  The current situation poses a serious threat to private property rights in WA and we are hoping to address and resolve these issues with the cooperation of the new Minister,” he said.