May 10, 2021
South Burnett farmers will get the opportunity to find out more about the new Barrier Reef Protection cropping laws at a State Government update in Kingaroy on June 2.
The session – to be held a day after the new regulations come into effect – will be held at a venue to be advised.
It is one of several sessions scheduled to be held around Queensland.
The Department of Environment and Science has also organised online Zoom meetings for farmers unable to attend in-person events.
The online sessions will be held from 10:00am to noon on May 18; from 2:00pm-4:00pm on May 24 and from 10:00am to noon on June 10.
From June 1, farmers will need a permit before any new or expanded commercial cropping or horticulture work can take place in designated Barrier Reef catchments (which includes all the South Burnett).
This permit will apply on all areas of five hectares or more that are not currently used for cropping or do not meet the cropping history test.
A cropping history is defined as when the land has been used for cropping or horticulture activities during three out of the past 10 years.
The last departmental information session about Reef Regulations, held at Kingaroy Town Hall on February 9, attracted more than 160 people concerned about the ramifications of the new laws.
- To register to attend the Kingaroy session, click here
- Related article: Reef Regulations Rile Farmers
UPDATE: The Department will provide full details on times and the venue closer to the date. Numbers at the session are limited. Registrations will assist with observing any COVID restrictions that are in place at the time.
