Opinion by Nationals WA Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Jacqui Boydell.
We are on the cusp of something exciting in regional WA with the potential to transform the way we manage and utilise one of our most important natural assets - the WA Rangelands.
While pastoralism has dominated the Rangelands for more than a century, it is clear that social, economic and environmental landscape has changed over this time.
For decades pastoralists have called for Rangelands reform and they have been clear they want to have the option of diversifying into activities like irrigated agriculture.
This is why the State Government, led by Minister for Lands and Leader of The Nationals WA Terry Redman, has undertaken a historic Rangelands reform agenda as a means to deliver land tenure reform, support new investment opportunities and land uses, and to introduce measures to restore the Rangelands productive capacity.
At the heart of this reform are proposed amendments to the Land Administration Act 1997.
through the introduction of the Land Administration Amendment Bill 2016.
These amendments will ensure new legislation matches the State's current and future needs by creating a new form of land tenure known as the Rangelands lease.
For those pastoralists wanting to undertake more diverse activities on the land, or use it for multiple purposes, a Rangelands lease can negotiated to suit their specific needs.
Under this proposed lease, potential land use options are virtually limitless - ranging from tourism development to intensive agriculture and almost everything in between.
While the new lease offers increased flexibility for pastoralists, it is important they understand that they are not obliged to move to the new form of lease. In fact, the lease is
an option available to both pastoral lessees and new entrants or third parties.
Ultimately, this is just another tool in the toolbox and any decision to 'convert' a pastoral lease to a Rangelands lease will be a business decision for the pastoral lessee who will also need to
keep in mind any possible native title implications.
The State Government understands the importance of feedback to ensure any legislation is balanced and serves in the best interests of all stakeholders. T
his is why Minister Redman has taken the draft legislation across the State to hear feedback from stakeholders directly - this includes the pastoral industry. Forums were held in Perth, Carnarvon, Broome, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Mt Magnet, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland throughout the month of April.
Public feedback from these forums is now being consolidated for consideration in the final legislation.
It is therefore disappointing to see the Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) argue that they have not been consulted during the process.
It seems incredulous that the PGA were compelled to go to such lengths to organise their own invitation - only meeting in Claremont on Friday April 29, especially when they were more than welcome to take a seat at any of the other eight stakeholder meetings held across the State this month.
The State needs a thriving pastoral industry into the future, and investment and diversification will be critical for the future of WA.
From the forums I attended, it was clear pastoralists are overwhelmingly optimistic about the proposed amendments.
For the most part, many believe there are too many positives in the Bill to let contention around the existing Pastoral Lands Board block this important legislation.
The Land Administration Amendment Bill 2016 is an opportunity to increase economic opportunities, improve land management and enhance sustainability in the Rangelands.
It's a shame the PGA is intent on making Rangelands reform into a political issue - particularly when it has the potential to profoundly transform our regions in such a positive way.
