Page 3299 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 21 August 2019
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(f) the ACT has a relatively small number of farm businesses operating in comparison to NSW, however, the shared border requires both jurisdictions to operate in the same market;
(2) commends the ACT Government for:
(a) supporting territory farmers, and for its ongoing engagement with this sector during dry conditions; and
(b) its commitment to review the appropriate support mechanisms in consultation with relevant farming and environmental groups, with a view to extending the freight subsidy.”.
This amendment clears up some inconsistencies with some of the wording in Mr Wall’s motion. We are not in a drought situation in the ACT; however, we are in extended dry conditions, and I think that is what he means. We did not declare a drought last year. The impact of this drying climate varies in its effects and intensity. The dry conditions have social and financial impacts on farmers and their communities, adverse environmental effects and impacts on vegetation, soil and animal welfare—both farm and native animals—if not managed appropriately.
In comparison to New South Wales, the ACT does not have a large rural industry. However, it is still a significant part of the territory’s character. We are home to 160 mostly family-run farming businesses, which collectively manage 39,000 hectares, or 15 per cent of the ACT. The majority of the ACT’s farming land is managed for sheep, wool and cattle production, horse agistment and other equestrian activities. Other farming activities include poultry and free-range egg production, horticulture and viticulture, truffles and olive production.
In responding to the current climate, the ACT government continues to work closely with New South Wales on dry conditions and land management, including building regional resilience by providing a range of financial and educational support mechanisms.
As the ACT rural sector competes in similar markets to its New South Wales counterpart, financial support mechanisms have generally aligned with those provided by New South Wales and range from subsidies for freight transport to on-farm emergency water infrastructure rebates. These programs have been designed to support farmers in need, to better prepare them for droughts and to reduce the impact of drought events on individual livelihoods and the broader economy.
This follows on from work already done with farmers in recent years to build their resilience to dealing with the increasing likelihood of dry conditions due to climate change. Popular examples are the “top lamb crop” course delivered in conjunction with professional agronomists, which helps producers to maximise their production whilst maintaining ground cover and protecting biodiversity. Climate forums run in conjunction with the Bureau of Meteorology have also assisted our farmers to manage their businesses in a drying seasonal outlook.
I will briefly outline the financial support mechanisms that have been provided by the ACT government. From August 2018 to June 2019 the ACT government offered a
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