General news
20 June, 2025
NSW Govt visits farmers over 'Pink Mapping' issue
When is farming not farming?
IN a significant move to address ongoing disputes between the NSW government and local farmers, senior officials visited Bland Shire this week to engage directly with landholders concerned about the state's land classification system, particularly the controversial 'pink mapping' designations.
The 'pink mapping' refers to areas classified under Category 2 – Sensitive Regulated Land, which imposes strict land-use restrictions. Farmers in the region argue that these classifications are based on outdated and inaccurate data, leading to unjust limitations on land management practices essential for their livelihoods.
The delegation included Steven Cox, Director of Forestry, Land Use & Marine Policy at the Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water (DECCEW), and Liam Hogg, Director of Policy at Local Land Services, NSW Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development. Their visit aimed to assess firsthand the concerns raised by local farmers and to foster a constructive dialogue.
The visit commenced last Tuesday with a presentation at the Council Chambers, where farmers showcased the discrepancies between the 'pink mapping' classifications and the actual on-ground vegetation. This session served as an educational platform, highlighting the challenges faced by landholders due to misclassifications.
Site Visits:
Arcadia Property: The delegation visited Gaye Wheatley’s property to observe coppicing and regenerative rolling practices. Despite the thriving vegetation, such activities are currently misclassified as 'clearing' under existing legislation.
Stanhope Property: Similar practices were observed, reinforcing concerns about the misinterpretation of sustainable land management techniques.
“A Wednesday field tour also took in other impacted farms and landholders,” said Bland Landholders Right to Farm Group founder, Annabelle Davis.
These included -
Tallimbalong: The group examined natural blue mallee stands, discussing mapping inaccuracies and the need for legislative recognition of coppicing as a legitimate land management tool.
Pratts & Currajong Property: Visits to Keith and Kerrie Rowe’s property, Pratts, and Rod & Megan Hardie’s property, Currajong highlighted widespread mapping errors and misclassifications, emphasising the need for urgent rectifications.
“Due to time constraints, a planned debrief meeting was cancelled; however, the delegation was briefed on the issues developed a good appreciation of the issues on the ground before departure.”
The visit underscored several critical points:
Coppicing as a Management Tool: Coppicing, a long-regarded forestry and land management practice, must be recognized as legitimate and not equated with illegal clearing.
Mapping Accuracy: The current 'pink mapping' does not accurately reflect the diverse vegetation types present, leading to unjust restrictions on land use.
Need for Immediate Action: There is an urgent need to fast-track approvals for broombush harvesting and to correct mapping errors to ensure fair land use and equity for landholders.
“The delegation left West Wyalong with a clearer understanding of the on-ground realities and the challenges faced by farmers. Discussions are set to continue, focusing on the vegetation and rectifying mapping inaccuracies, recognizing sustainable land management practices, and ensuring that landholders' rights are upheld,” Annabelle Davis from the Bland Landholders Right to Farm Group said.
“The farmers of Bland Shire remain committed to working collaboratively with the NSW government to achieve a fair and accurate representation of their land, ensuring its sustainable use for generations to come.”
Like they always have - for decades.
But for now, they await feedback from the Minns NSW Labor Government and Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy, and Water Minister Penny Sharpe. Given the ALPs desertion of the regions, what happens next is anyone’s guess.
Some, who have asked not to be named, are considering walking away from the land altogether because they’ve been “left in ruins”.
For Annabelle Davis, it’s been a lesson.
“We’ve had to battle every inch of the way to be heard. Finally, we look to be getting somewhere. But until it’s in writing nothing has changed”.
And so we wait and hope common sense prevails. For more information on the 'pink mapping' concerns and ongoing efforts, visit Steph Cooke MPs website.
Read More: West Wyalong
