Integrating community and landscape values in planning for multi-functional rural landscapes

Transcription

1 Integrating community and landscape values in planning for multi-functional rural landscapes The Future of Farming in Rural Amenity Landscapes The Role of Land Use Planning and Governance in a Changing Landscape Jane Roots, PhD candidate, Supervisors: Dr Joanne Millar, Dr Rik Thwaites, Dr Rod Griffith 1

2 Context & Research Questions Methodology Discussion of findings to date & emerging drivers Rural landscapes, decision-making, farming and the future 2

3 Area becomes mostly residential Land use conflicts Higher land prices Increased traffic Ageing farm pop ln Commodity prices Drought Increased demand for housing & development Pressure on farm viability Rural character (amenity) attracts new residents Conversion of farmland to other uses The Cycle of Farmland Conversion (adapted from Daniels & Bowers, 1997) Research questions 1. What is the role of farming in amenity landscapes? 2. How does land use planning impact on farming activities in amenity areas? 3. What is the role of governance in land use planning processes in amenity areas and how is farming as a land use affected? 4. What land use planning and governance options are there for farming as a viable and sustainable land use? Landscapes 3

4 Theoretical approach Previous experience & knowledge Interactions with planners, land management professionals & involvement in community processes Initial Propositions & construction of the problem(s) Relevant literature Data from interviews Information from documents Data collection Conceptual coding Emerging themes Conceptual framework Analysis Existing theory Emerging theoretical concepts The Place: Indigo Shire, Victoria an Amenity landscape 4

5 Indigo Shire statistics Population: 15,467 (2007), Estimated to grow to 17,719 (2031) Area: 2,016 sq. kms Economy based on farming (beef, dairy, sheep, fruit & viticulture) & processing of local primary produce Major manufacturing businesses are: Murray-Goulburn Co-op Uncle Toby s Local wine manufacturing Low unemployment Agriculture in Indigo Shire Contribution of agriculture : $151.3 million (2007); employs close to 650 people 503 farms Cattle (beef & dairy), grapes (wine), sheep meat, apples, wheat, wool, triticale & honey (Indigo Shire Council, 2008) 5

6 Planning in Indigo Shire 43% of population lives outside of towns almost 40% of all dwellings approved were in rural areas 56% on lots smaller than 40ha 19% on lots larger than 40ha Up to 2006, Indigo planning scheme was unique in Victoria: performancebased approvals, not default approach Case-by-case approach impedes strategic decision making Indigo Shire - Property size by hectare range 6

7 Indigo Shire - Lot size by hectare range Victoria s Planning Scheme Planning & Environment Act (1987) Victoria Planning Provisions State Planning Policy Framework Minister for Planning Local Planning Policy Framework Council Plan Local Council Municipal Strategic Statement Public consultation Local policies & plans, zones, overlays, etc Rural Land Use Strategy 7

8 Data collection Interviews Semi-structured interviews with farmers & agency representatives Semi-stratified Targeted & snow-balling Observations of (public) community engagement in planning processes & other fora Finding Farmers primary producers actively engaged in a food or fibre business across all industries (grazing, dairy, viticulture, horticulture, cropping) situated across the Shire 8

9 Number of persons 10/13/2010 Indigo Shire population profile Age Group Valued landscapes & challenges 9

10 Issues arising Conflicts with neighbours/nonfarmers/non-compatible uses Land valuation Operating costs & labour Value-adding & farm-gate sales, farmers markets Commodity prices Climate change Bushfires Findings Challenges Diversity in views: This is a farming zone and therefore [them saying] as far as any industrial farming noise goes, you have no right to complain about it no, I don t think that is fair, I think that is total bullying by them. LH12-F In my experience, most people who want that sea change, who are looking for that country lifestyle, they actually look forward to it - they actually like the noises of farming [in relation to cropping adjacent paddocks]. LH19-M 10

11 Findings Cultural expectations Optimism & opportunity: I reckon we re in an ideal area you know we ve got a local little fire brigade and there s six new young families moved into the district in the last four or five years, yeah a couple of them have kids, and our district has just become vibrant in the last couple of years. LH7-F Our landscape has changed dramatically but it s for the better; the fact that there are 30 families up the road instead of five. We have got used to it. LH2-M Findings Socio-economic context Different approaches / responses: With land prices inflating, it has been hard. But we have bought land over the last couple of years. Only because we see a future of agriculture and we love living in this area and we will more than likely continue to invest. LH21-F We were being really quite successful as dairy farmers. But part of the mantra I guess was increase productivity, increase head per hectare, increase production per hectare, production per megalitre, so clearly increasing stocking rates were the go, and we suddenly took a deep breath and said we don t think this is LH16-F Sustainable LH16-M Well the price of land [has] stopped us from being able to just grow our business to keep up with I guess economically we re too small, and we haven t been able to expand and we needed to really because we re not big enough to employ anybody and there s no future for our kids here. LH9-F 11

12 Findings Planning Not a lot of direct involvement Default size for subdivision in Farming Zone (40ha) is too small to sow, too big to mow I cannot see why they ve got to hold it at forty hectares because we can just see with these [rural residential landholders] that get these forty hectares, I finish up with thirty of them they want to rent it to you or share farm it or sell it to you because they just can t handle it. LH7-M I had a bloke wanting to buy 5 acres off me a couple of year s ago and I said no, on principle I couldn t, and it s hard to argue because I know another fellow had 3 kids and wanted a block off each of them for a house and they say some people are going to get hurt but it s only going to be that initial, somebody might lose initially, but you have to make a stand, like you are looking at, like the future, food production. LH8-M Findings Definitions Farming zone uses a broad-brush application - Marginal land is treated the same as productive land Difficulty in defining productive land Lack of certainty on the long term intention of the land use 12

13 I think if you really want to be frustrated, get involved in planning issues LH3-M, Rutherglen Certainly there s no question about the fact it s the most difficult thing that anyone could ever deal with, planning think. Maybe it s people s attitudes that need to change, to accept planning more, to accept the principles behind the decisions. I don t know. LH6-F, Kergunyah Questions? 13

14 Related State government strategies Ready for Tomorrow Blueprint for Regional & Rural Victoria 2010 Regional Development Victoria The Hume Regional Strategy 2010 Regional Managers Forum/Ministerial Taskforce Land Use & Community Food Security 2010 Vic Local Government Association & Vic Health Future Farms Providing for Victoria s Future Rural Land Use 2010 Dept Planning & Community Development Securing our Natural Future: Land & Biodiversity at a time of Climate Change DSE Northern Rivers Sustainable Water Strategy 2009 DSE 14