Environment, Planning & Climate Change
Farmers for generations have been investing in the health of the land. Farmers were the first environmentalists as they know being a steward of the land is important to productivity and liveability.
Urban communities and governments can sometimes not understand all the efforts, including research and development and active management that the agricultural sector undertakes to continuously improve sustainability outcomes.
VFF advocates for not just improved understanding of agriculture in relation to stewardship, but that the community supports farmers undertake actions to provide community benefits in relation to climate and biodiversity.
The Landcare Movement
Through our former president Heather Mitchell, the VFF was integral to the creation of the Landcare movement in the 1980s – and we now are striving for supportive conditions for similar programs to allow farmers to take actions that are good for the farm and good for the planet.
The VFF Land Management Committee provides advice on land management issues such as regulations that support the right to farm – including native vegetation, environment protection, climate / greenhouse, land use planning; pest plant and animal management; and emergency planning and response.
Key Issues
Find out what the VFF is doing on your behalf across the key issues that are important to you.
Right to Farm
Renewable Energy
Natural Resource Management
Bushfire Prevention
Demonstrating Stewardship
Land Access
Climate Change
Environment Protection Laws
Media Releases
VFF public announcements on current issues. View all media releases →
Sudden surge to renewables shocks farmers
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is warning against announcing substantial renewable energy targets without any plan for new…
Bass Coast planning controls biased against ag
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says draft documents released by the Department ofEnvironment, Land, Water and Planning in…
Farmers celebrate Fingerboards Mine win
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Victorian Government’s move to block the Fingerboards sand mine in East…
Submissions
VFF responses to government on current issues. View all submissions →
Victorian Transmission Investment Framework Preliminary Design
The VFF welcomes the opportunity to reaffirm its position of February 2019 that there is an urgent need…
Review of regulation for waste tyre use and storage on farms
This submission has been prepared in consultation with our dairy farmer members and the national rural research and…
Submission to Draft Declared Mine Regulations 2022
Mining rehabilitation is an area where the VFF believes there could be improvements through better recognition of the…
VFF Environment, Planning & Climate Change Committee
The Environment, Planning and Climate Committee advises the Policy Council on:
⇛ Natural resource issues such as native vegetation clearing, biodiversity and protection of endangered species.
⇛ Land degradation issues such as erosion control, salinity and nutrient run-off to waterways.
⇛ Planning issues including protection of prime agricultural land, restrictions on subdivision planning, controls on “noxious industries” including siting of municipal rubbish tips.
⇛ Vermin and noxious weeds.
⇛ Overseeing and making recommendations on the VFF’s involvement in landcare.
The committee members as at November 2021 are Gerald Leach (Chair), Alan McKenzie, David Gibb, Jane Carney, Scott Young and Simon Turner.
