General news
14 February, 2025
100 days and counting for Mallee Farmers and still no reply from DECCEW
Bland Shire farmer, Richard Davis, discusses the impacts new DECCEW legislation has on his business.
A BLAND Shire farmer who has spent over half a century cultivating native vegetation for the production of eucalyptus oil is now in a battle with the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water over the classification of his land as "pink," a designation that has left him unable to earn an income or even access the land.
Richard Davis, owner and manager of Australia’s oldest and longest running eucalyptus oil production company GR Davis Pty Ltd, has worked the same native vegetation since 1964 since the company was founded by his Geoff. For decades, his farm has been sustainably managed for the production of eucalyptus oil, an industry he has helped nurture. But now, following new regulations and without prior consultation, the NSW Government has categorised around 2000 acres of his property as "pink," making it illegal for him to clear, alter, or make any productive use of it. He is not the only one either.
"This is land I've worked for decades, following sustainable practices with the same management techniques I've used since 1964," Davis said, his frustration evident.
"Suddenly, the same land that was legal to work on one day is now off-limits, and I can’t even touch it. To have 90% of my property effectively taken without payment and declared a no-go zone is not only devastating - it feels like a complete disregard for the work I’ve done and the history I have with this land."
The "pink" classification, which falls under the NSW Government's land management restrictions, has been imposed on farmers across Bland Shire, including Davis. Farmers like him are now unable to use the land for its intended purpose, which includes eucalyptus oil production, a product that ranks as the third most popular oil in the Asia dominated world market, behind peppermint and citrus. The sudden reclassification has caused significant financial hardship for Davis and his peers, who rely on the land for their livelihoods and retirement.
For Davis, the decision to classify his land as "pink" without any consultation or prior notice is a deeply personal and professional blow. In November 2024, he wrote a letter to the NSW Government DECCEW Minister Penny Sharpe, requesting clarification and a fair resolution to his concerns, but to date, he has received no response. The NSW Ministers are supposed to respond to constituent inquiries within three weeks, but Davis' experience has been one of silence and frustration.
"It's insulting. I’ve worked my entire life for this land, planting over 4.5 million mallee trees and creating a thriving business, and now the government is telling me I can’t use it," Davis said.
The planting of so many trees is on the back of a 40-year tree-breeding program managed by scientists by CSIRO and ANU.
"There was no communication, no consultation, and no respect for the farmers who have been working this land sustainably for years. It’s not just the financial loss - it's the complete disregard for the effort and care we've put into these properties."
The issue has been ongoing for over a year, with Davis and other farmers facing the possibility of permanently losing access to their land. His property is now trapped in legal limbo as he awaits a legal decision on land clearing, with the clock ticking and uncertainty hanging over his future.
Davis' eucalyptus oil production is a critical part of the local economy, especially in the Asian market, where the demand for eucalyptus oil remains strong. Yet, his ability to meet that demand has been crippled by the government’s reclassification of his land. With so much of his farm now locked away, Davis has been forced to watch as his livelihood slips further out of reach.
"There's no other market like it for eucalyptus oil. We’ve built a reputation, we’ve contributed to local jobs, and now we're just waiting for the government to do something, to listen to us," Davis said.
"If they truly care about farmers and the future of this industry, they need to stop dragging their feet and work with us to find a reasonable solution."
As the battle continues, Davis remains resolute, advocating not only for his own property but for the rights of farmers across the region who face the same challenges. He is determined to stand firm in his fight for what he believes is right: the ability to work his land as he always has, and to continue providing a product that has been a staple of the local economy for decades.
"I’m not giving up on this," Davis said.
"I’ve spent my whole life doing the right thing by this land, doing whatever the government has asked and I’m going to fight to keep doing what I love and make sure others can too."
With the legal decision still pending and his future hanging in the balance, Richard Davis is a man caught in a struggle that many farmers across New South Wales are now facing - the fight to continue working land that has been their livelihood for generations, without arbitrary restrictions that threaten their existence.
Landholders caught in the crossfire
Andrew Cumming, after spending a lifetime managing a large agricultural enterprise was looking forward to his retirement. With no communication or consultation, the NSW Government has taken 95% of his land, without payment, as a no-go zone, illegal to touch. His dream of building a cottage and running a sustainable agricultural production for his retirement – gone.
Gaye Wheatley, has managed the same native vegetation on her property for the sustainable production of Broombush fences since the 1970s. This land use history disregarded by the NSW Government who has decided that what was legal one day is illegal the next. The Government has taken around 80% of her land which is now a no-go zone, illegal to touch. With no prior communication, no consultation, no avenue to protest.
Keith and Kerrie Rowe, who only 3 years ago increased their landholding, have now discovered that the NSW Government has taken 30% of their new property, now a no-go-zone, illegal to touch. Neither the seller, nor the agent or the council were aware of any such restrictions.
Glenn and Wendy Seaman, with a 60-year history on a family farm have lost 95% of their eucalyptus oil production - now a no-go-zone, illegal to touch. With no communication or consultation.
Matthew Cumming purchased his land over 20 years ago to produce eyucalyptus oil and broombush for quality urban fences. With no communication or consultation, the NSW Government has put a no-go-zone, illegal to touch on 90% of his property.
“These are just some of the people caught up in this ill-thought-out regulation. That the NSW Government could let something as unfair as this continue is beyond comprehension. West Wyalong landholder’s have sent a multitude of letters to NSW Government Ministers, including the Premier requesting their attention to amend this regulation - which to date they have chosen to ignore,” said Annabelle Davis, speaking on behalf of the group.
Devastating Impact of a NSW Regulation
The impact of this new regulation cannot be overestimated. What is clear is that there has been no consideration of the economic impact on landholders. And no consideration of the wider social impact.
Landholders have had their right to earn a living from their land stopped completely, yet there has been no offer of compensation for the financial devastation they now face. Land values have plummeted, and family futures lie in ruins.
Landholders completely disregarded by the NSW Government
Landholders Susan and Ken Hardy, like other members of the group, have created biodiversity reserves and have nurtured the native flora and fauna on their property for decades. Rather than being rewarded for their efforts the NSW Government has taken 30% of their land and put a no-go-zone on the land - which is now considered, ironically, valueless.
“These West Wyalong landholders are true land stewards who have sustainably nurtured the biodiversity of their land through the challenges of drought, flood and plague. But what they have not been prepared for, is the unfairness of a NSW environmental regulation,” said Annabelle Davis, Richard’s wife, and founder the Right To Farm Group.
“This is NSW and we expect better.”
Indeed, we do.
“It’s not just the financial loss that stings; it’s the feeling of being completely disregarded by the NSW Government whose actions infer they view rural communities as expendable. Livelihoods are destroyed, family futures in ruins, and rural communities tossed aside.
“A fairer, more balanced approach is needed. The NSW Government needs to work with, not against landholders. What the West Wyalong landholders are asking for is simple: fairness,” Annabelle said.
“The Government has taken their land use – so the landholders must be compensated for the loss of income, loss of land value, and loss of future opportunities.
“Alternatively - these landowners ask that the NSW Government amend the new environmental regulation - and give them their land use back.”
More info at www.grdavis.com.au
Read More: West Wyalong
