The East Gippsland Rural Strategy is open for comment until 3 February 2023.
The VFF encourages farmers in East Gippsland Shire to read the draft strategy and ensure that it understands the agricultural sector and to ensure policy enhances the right to farm.
East Gippsland Shire describes the Rural Land Use Strategy as a planning vision and framework that seeks to support agriculture and rural industries, promote opportunities in rural tourism, and recognise and protect important environmental, cultural and landscape values. The strategy will apply to all privately owned rural land in East Gippsland.
Preparation of the Rural Land Use Strategy is underpinned by the following principles:
- Protect and enhance productive farmland and farmland of strategic significance to support food and fibre production.
- Facilitate innovation and growth of the agricultural sector to leverage competitive advantages and strengthen the economy.
- Encourage rural and nature based tourism to augment and diversify the Shire’s agricultural and environmental values.
- Protect and enhance environmental values, including biodiversity, landscapes and water quality.
- Respond to the challenges and threats associated with a changing climate and natural hazards.
- Challenge the legacy of dwelling development and fragmentation of land in productive farming areas.
- Support population retention for a sustainable and prosperous future in isolated rural communities.