Augusta-Margaret River council pull back new biodiversity strategy amid counterclaims from concerned farmers

A contentious biodiversity strategy that sparked outrage among South West farmers has been sent back for further consideration and consultation. Farmers told last week’s Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council meeting they felt “gut-shot” after learning of the strategy developed partly with State Government funding. Wednesday’s meeting and a briefing on the policy — as well as the shire’s climate adaptation plan — heard from farmers fearing erosion of their private property rights as well as the region’s food security. Central to the confusion were maps and references to wildlife corridors on private land that were the start of a “slippery slope”, according to Karridale beef producer Tony Mostert. Mr Mostert said the strategy could be “the straw that broke the camel’s back”. “There are measures that significantly encroach on our property rights,” he said. “It’s basically de facto land acquisition.” Shire regulatory services manager Matt Cuthbert assured them the biodiversity policy had “no statutory weight”. However, farmers believed the new strategy was part of a suite of bureaucratic measures that could force land swaps or encroach on farmers’ ability to work their land if, for example, any endangered plants or sites of interest were reported Mr Mostert also told the meeting the report inadequately consulted producers and was not flagged with farmers despite meetings between the South West Growers Group and the shire to discuss a planned local agricultural policy. “It felt like we’ve been gut-shot,” he said. “How can we trust you? How many more documents have you got in your back pocket?” Despite planners’ reassurances, speakers remained sceptical, leading to deputy shire president Tracey Muir noting the local government had a serious communication issue. “We really value agriculture and want it to flourish,” Cr Muir said. “It’s farmers looking after land.” However, other farmers said their concerns dated back to now-abandoned plans to remove “priority agriculture” zoning from the incoming new Local Planning Scheme 2, which was subject to a fiery electors meeting in January 2024. Farmer Sam Weightman, who questioned councillors closely — including whether they had read the biodiversity strategy — also backed the criticism. “Let’s actually do some consultation and figure this out,” he said. “A lot of farmers here are doing a pretty bloody good job.” Mr Mostert said he was “sad” farmers and their contributions were not being valued. “The strategy lacks the respect for the previous generations who created this food bowl,” he said. He said the region was one of the world’s best food bowls and the shire’s lack of consultation and processes “places food production at risk”.