General news
23 May, 2025
Cooke helps Lynched Bland farmers
Coota MP hosting meeting for landholders with NSW Govt
MEMBER for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke will host a special presentation at state Parliament House next week, detailing the impact of category 2-sensory regulated land mapping, or “pink mapping”, on broombush and blue mallee coppicing activity in NSW.
Blue mallee and broombush are two native plants that have been sustainably coppiced in New South Wales since 1907 for building material and essential oils.
In West Wyalong, coppicing has been a traditional part of life with some businesses having been in operation for decades.
However, producers are facing legal notices for coppicing on patches of their own land that has been mapped “Pink” (category 2-sensitive regulated land) through satellite imagery.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said the aim of next Wednesday’s presentation is to inform members of the NSW Parliament and relevant policy makers about this uniquely Australian industry and how current legalisation threatens to shut it down.
“A number of families in West Wyalong and across the Bland Shire have been coppicing these plants for generations,” Ms Cooke said.
“This is how they afford to put food on the table, yet current mapping has left many too afraid to continue what is a sustainable practise due to the threat of legal penalties.”
“It is a complex matter, and that’s why we’ve invited all members to come and learn about coppicing and why it’s important that we find a solution that to allows our farmers to continue doing what they do best.”
All serving members of the NSW Parliament have been invited to attend, with representations from NSW Farmers, The Country Women’s Association and the NSW Irrigators Council also attending.
Families from West Wyalong will make the journey to Macquarie Street to join Ms Cooke, with many scheduled to speak about the impact vegetation mapping has had on their livelihoods.
Among the speakers is third-generation farmer Bailey Lynch, who aims to explain how coppicing practises are sustainable and not to be confused with land clearing.
“The accusations that landholders are facing regarding illegal land clearing are beyond ridiculous,” Mr Lynch said.
“When we approach a patch of brush, it is never a blanket harvest and everything is done by hand, taking only what we need and nothing more, leaving little to no footprint.”
“This situation is ripping families' livelihoods apart, and the stress, anxiety, and depression that accompany it are something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”
Read More: West Wyalong
