The recent results of Mitchell Shire Council’s 2024-28 election has been pleasing news for not-for-profit community group Protect Our Farms (POF).
Welcoming the addition of several new councillors following the results of the latest council election, POF Secretary Rae Clark expressed delight that the group’s values were shared among many of the electorate’s new representatives.
“It is encouraging that four of the newly elected councillors received the highest ratings in POF’s voting guide, reflecting a shared commitment to effective governance and the wellbeing of agricultural communities,” she said.
“The new council brings substantial change, with a majority of fresh faces and only two returning members, demonstrating a strong call from residents for change.”
Landowner, farmer, and ratepayer Lyndon Arnel said the change in council offered a timely opportunity to reassess the Landscape Assessment Study (LAS) and its recommendations to introduce Significant Landscape Overlays (SLOs) in the area.
The LAS was endorsed by the previous council but only narrowly, passing by a single vote and accompanied by numerous conditions. These conditions included further consultation, benchmarking, and revisions, which Mr Arnel believed highlighted the substantial flaws in the original study and consultation process.
“These factors underscore the need for a thorough review of both the LAS and the SLO proposal itself,” he said.
“POF is optimistic that the new council will take this opportunity to carefully reconsider the proposed SLOs, address the identified issues, and prioritise the perspectives of those most affected.
“Ensuring that the voices of community members are central to any policy decisions impacting agricultural land is essential for fostering trust and achieving balanced outcomes.
“[We look] forward to collaborating with the new council to promote policies that support sustainable agriculture and respect the rights and livelihoods of the farming community.”
