Noel Henderson, chair, Macedon Ranges Agribusiness Forum
The secretary of the Macedon Ranges Residents Association, Christine Pruneau, provided comment in the Midland Express (‘Go figure!’, Opinions, July 10) about the recent changes to the intensive farming provisions in all Planning Schemes in Victoria.
The concerns expressed about these changes being incompatible with the Macedon Ranges are completely wrong and need to be corrected.
The Farming Zone in Macedon Ranges covers 48 per cent of the shire and contains largely working farms, with a further 28 per cent of the shire is included in the Rural Conservation Zone and this zone also includes many farms which are a permitted use.
The agribusiness sector is a significant contributor to the economy of the shire, and state, and is growing to meet the demand for locally grown food and produce.
Local planning policy has for many decades encouraged intensive farming in appropriate locations. The recent changes are consistent with that policy objective. It allows farming without the restriction of resident objectors who choose to live in farming areas and then complain about farming activities.
Good planning is about accommodating all forms of land use and setting goals for the future and is not about standing still and doing nothing. Macedon Ranges, like all shires, must continue to evolve and meet the challenges of the future.
The recent changes to intensive farming in the Planning Scheme is a positive approach.
