Agriculture
9 August, 2023
United voice needed 'to get message across'
THE agricultural community needed unity to lobby government, Victorian Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn branch president Graham Nesbit said last week. Mr Nesbit had just returned from the VFF annual conference where farmers voted to reject State...
THE agricultural community needed unity to lobby government, Victorian Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn branch president Graham Nesbit said last week.
Mr Nesbit had just returned from the VFF annual conference where farmers voted to reject State Government plans for the VNI West transmission line project.
But the conference was overshadowed by an ongoing constitutional brawl that has seen a move for a spill of board positions rejected.
Egg council president Meg Parkinson, grains council president Craig Henderson and livestock council vice-president Peter Star last week resigned from the board.
Mr Nesbit said VNI West and road funding were major issues for the region that required advocacy from a united VFF.
St Arnaud branch’s two motions on VNI West received unanimous endorsement at the conference.
Gerald Feeny told delegates the transmission line plan did not link into regional grids and would provide no benefit to farms, industry and communities.
The branch labelled VNI West as a national project “purposely designed as a one-way path to cater for city power needs”.
“Country communities are expected to carry the environmental and agricultural damage to our land from this infrastructure and yet gain no advantage in electricity supply for our towns and industry,” delegates were told.
The conference also voted to reject fast-tracking of VNI West until the State Government gave assurances on insurance liability and fire safety and that “farmers will not be left exposed to physical, financial and legal risk”.
Wedderburn branch member and volunteer firemen Ian Gould raised fire safety with CFA chiefs after the Woosang brigade annual meeting earlier this year.
The CFA said at the time it expected to be part of future technical reference groups established by Australian Energy Market Operator for VNI West.
Mr Nesbit the state of local roads could become worse with a greater transmission to electric vehicles.
“At the moment, fuel excise is paid and used to build roads,” he said.
“What’s going to be happening in 10, 15 or 20 years times ... the real impact will be on regional roads.
“Local government in hamstrung because its funding comes from the State Government.
“We have to bridge the gap of understanding between rural areas and the Government. If the VFF can’t, then who will?”
Mr Nesbit said the communication would be key in the organisational reform of the VFF that included greater efficiencies with an end to duplication of some activities between commodity divisions.
Wedderburn branch is the most active VFF presence in the Loddon Shire.
Mr Nesbit said some farmers had chosen to not be involved in the state body.
“They are sitting and watching what VFF does, we need them to be part of the organisation and contributing to the work,” he said.
“The time to contribute is now. We have issues and challenges that need a united voice taking our concerns to all sides of politics.”
Mr Nesbit said while roads was the No 1 priority, weed and pest control, labour shortages and housing were also pressing issues.
“As a united organisation, we can get in the door (of decision makers) and inform people,” he said.