A Notice of Motion before Byron Council this Thursday aims to formalise ‘a mandatory initial contact for Council with all new purchasers of land in the rural areas of our Shire to ensure they are aware of this service’.
Penned by Byron Shire Councillor Alan Hunter, he told The Echo, ‘While the housing crisis in the Byron Shire focuses solely on the lack of affordable accommodation, people moving into our hinterland areas and farms need support to ensure their land is left in the very best condition for on-going future generations’.
Assistance available
‘Many who are now working from home, on the farm and taking on the challenges of managing rural property may not be aware of the assistance available to properly upkeep their land.
‘Council needs to step up to the plate to ensure everything is being done to ensure we all have the information and skill to maintain and in some cases, improve these areas. Council has engaged an Agricultural Extension Officer to lead and co-ordinate this project’.
Cr Hunter says the officer could provide ‘relevant information to all landowners in rural areas of the Shire’.
This information could include ‘contacts and information to help with the adoption of sustainable and best practice in weed and pest control, the safe use of chemicals, animal husbandry, creek bank and soil erosion, farm walks on demonstration farms, and access to grant funding for environmental restoration works’.
‘My intention is to ensure that long after current councillors have moved on, this project will continue to provide a healthy and happy lifestyle, all the while helping our precious native flora and fauna prosper sustainably’.
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