Working through the Planning Maze
Most of Australia’s perishable vegetables and ornamental plants are grown in the peri-urban or fringe areas of the capital cities as well as high growth coastal areas. These are grown in the open as well as in protected cropping structures. In these same areas, there has been an influx of people buying land seeking a rural lifestyle. This is changing landscapes that were once productive agricultural into ones with a high proportion of residential use of rural land. Urban expansion is also having an impact on existing farming land. This brings with it rural land use conflict between farmers who want to grow food and ornamental plants and the residents who want to live on the land without noise, odours or other impacts on their amenity.
Ian Sinclair is a planner who has been dealing with these issues for more than 30 years as a local government employee and a consultant advising both councils and farmers. This presentation will provide case studies and advice on how to get through the planning maze to ensure that we can grow food and ornamental plants into the future.
