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9 June 2009
Cr Patrick Morrisey welcomes delay in LHPA rating reform
Byron Shire Councillor Patrick Morrisey today welcomed the delay of the controversial introduction of a per hectare rating system by the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA).
NSW Premier Nathan Rees announced the delay to the LHPA rating reform at the NSW Shires Association annual conference in Sydney last week.
“The per hectare rating system has been postponed until 2012 which allows landowners greater time in opposing the current unequitable rating system,” Cr Morrisey said.
Byron Shire Council has written to the NSW Minister for Primary Industries and the Livestock Health and Pest Authority State Council objecting to the recent rate increase.
According to Councillor Morrisey, the LHPA assess land based on one value only and that is livestock production.
“The rating method does not take into account, or acknowledge, landholders who choose to manage land for nature conservation, horticulture of other forms of agriculture.
“In relation to nature conservation and horticulture, landowners should be acknowledged as working for the broader public good and not financially penalised by being rated for potential livestock carrying capacity .
“We are asking the NSW Government to be consistent in its policies toward nature conservation and biodiversity on private land.
“Currently there are some departments and authorities who encourage nature conservation whilst others, through their rating system, encourage livestock production in drinking water catchments and HCV land,” he said.
Mr Morrisey went on to state Council has also recommended to the Minister that pest animal services should be funded out of general State revenue due to the interest of broader public good.
“All livestock should be of interest to the LHPA given the public health importance of animal disease, not just livestock on land over a nominal 10 hectares,” Mr Morrisey said.
Council has also recommended the LHPA be abolished or focus exclusively on services and regulatory function pertaining to all land carrying livestock in NSW.
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Media Contact: Donna Johnston
Byron Shire Council
Media Communications Officer
Ph: 6626 7320
Mbl: 0419 609 189
Byron Shire is located at Australia's eastern-most point with a population of almost 29,000. It is a thriving community where residents and visitors live, work and play in a sustainable environment and where Council strives to deliver the highest standard of local government services and infrastructure.
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