Veg workshops packed

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Securing long-term control over property vegetation management drove more than 50 landholders to free AgForce Projects workshops in Dulacca, Chinchilla and Dalby last week.

Landholders were eager to take up the chance to access free assistance and information about applying for a Property Map of Assessable Vegetation (PMAV), particularly given AgForce's vegetation management project will soon be winding up after seven years.

Only a handful of landholders said they had a PMAV, with the majority acknowledging they would stop putting off the process which helps secure cleared farming areas and provides certainty of vegetation classifications and boundaries.

Bell cattle producers Jon and Leny Gaffney, 'Glendale', said they now realised the importance of the PMAV process and would be applying with the help of AgForce vegetation management staff.

"Seeing our maps today has made us realise that we need to dispute some of the vegetation classifications on our property," Mrs Gaffney said at the workshop in Dalby on Thursday.

"It has been very helpful to have access to these maps and get advice on how we go about changing our maps through a detailed PMAV."

With regrowth legislation affecting many producers in the region, AgForce vegetation management project officer Nathan Symonds said that if producers have native vegetation on their property and still haven't applied for a PMAV, now is the time to do so.

"A PMAV gives producers greater control over the activities they can and can't do on their property," Mr Symonds said. "Even under the new State Government, PMAVs will continue to underpin property management and provide security in the longer term."

National Farmers Federation Environment Liaison Officer, Jol Taber, also provided landholders with important information about the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).

The next round of vegetation management workshops will be held at Dirranbandi, St George and Talwood from 5-7 June. Landholders can also contact a vegetation management project officer at any time for assistance on 3238 6048.

To register for a workshop or for more information visit the events page.

AgForce Projects will also be hosting free property computer mapping workshops to help landholders prepare for CSG negotiations at Beaudesert, Boonah, Kingaroy and Toogoolawah from 12-15 June, and Tara, Moonie and Goondiwindi from 19-21 June.