g)~~ t
I PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING, MP
LAND MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE.
I am pleased to announce that the Federal Government will establish a Land
Management Taskforce to investigate ways to improve the adoption and use
of property management plans by the farm sector.
The impact of the severe drought in large areas of Queensland and northern
NSW has highlighted the need for improved property management practices.
The drought has also highlighted the need for all levels of government, and
other sectors such as the banks, to tailor their programs and services to
enhance sustainable production and resource protection in the rural sector.
The application of an effective property management plan is the best way to
prepare for, and deal with, drought and to manage our land and water
resources over the longer term.
But a majority of farm businesses continue to operate without integrated
management tools. A 1992-93 ABARE survey of land management practices
found that approximately 80 per cent of broadacre farmers and 90 per cent of
dairy farmers did not possess a farm plan with information on soil and land
capacity. The Commonwealth considers the increased use of property planning would
achieve greater integration of economic and ecological and regional decision
making by the farm sector.
The Commonwealth also considers there is scope for increased use of
property management planning by the banking sector in determining risk and
viability of farm businesses.
The taskforce will be asked to develop a strategy to encourage the use of
appropriate property management planning in the farm sector.
It will also investigate means through which public and private sector
organisations servicing this sector can ensure their programs and services
enhance the development and application of farm management plans.
The membership of the taskforce will be drawn from the farm and financial
sectors, government and experts with landcare experience.
The taskforce will report to me by 30 May 1995.
The Taskforce will:
1. Examine the extent of property management planning and implementation
and identify options for improving adoption
2. Investigate the scope of property management planning to advance
sustainable production in Australian farming
3. Identify means by which property management planning can assist in the
development of farm business strategies and operations
4. Examine the scope for increased linkages between property management
planning and catchment based or regional plans
Review the relationship between property management planning and the
provision of government programs and advise on options for further
integration where appropriate
6. Examine the scope for financial institutions to incorporate property
management planning in assessments of long term farm viability and
lending policies.
The taskforce will be assisted by a small secretariat based in the Department
of Primary Industries and Energy.
CANBERRA 24 November 1994