Permit needed for fences above 1.8m: draft policy

By Nick Sinis

A BASS Coast farmer has slammed a number of changes proposed for agriculture in the state government’s Distinctive Area and Landscape (DAL) program.

As part of the DAL’s draft Statement of Planning Policy (SPP), farmers in the proposed Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO) areas could be required to obtain a permit to construct a fence.

However, this doesn’t apply to a post and rail fence up to 1.8 metres in height or post and wire fences up to 1.5m.

While a permit would also be required to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation and exotic tree rows or shelterbelts.

Cattle farmer Faye Tuchtan, who has two farms at Glen Forbes and Bass and made a submission to the draft SPP, said she was alarmed about the possible new requirements. 

“Firstly, I don’t think they have any idea of what farming is about,” she told the Sentinel-Times.

“If your fence falls down and your cattle are out on the road, you’ve got to apply for planning permit.

“Then you’ve got to pay and wait; what do you do with your cattle or sheep on the road?”

Ms Tuchtan was also concerned if farmers would have to obtain a permit to remove an exotic or native tree, if it was at risk of collapsing onto their property.

The draft SPP also included a proposal where a permit would be required if the floor area of an alteration, or extension to a building used for agriculture, was more than 50 metres.

Or if the total floor area is more than 150 square metres.

“That’s a useless size for any ordinary farm shed,” Ms Tuchtan said.

“Planning permits are a couple of thousand dollars, plus the time it takes to do it and the paperwork that goes into it.”

The draft SPP also states that a permit wouldn’t be required if a building used for agriculture is single storey and no more than 5 metres in height above ground level.

This also applies if an existing building and alteration or extension is constructed using external materials and colours that minimise its visibility in the landscape; or the existing building and alteration or extension is an open-sided
rural structure.

Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said she had organised a meeting in April with Victorian Farmers Federation Bass Coast members and department representatives, so the group could voice their concerns and seek guidance on their submissions.  

“The draft DAL is just that - a draft, where it goes out for community and stakeholder review and input and all submissions are currently being considered.  I want to thank everyone that has put in a submission,” Ms Crugnale said.

Ms Crugnale added it is important to note that the Bass Coast Planning Scheme already features an SLO (in a different area), and that also includes an exemption from post and rail up to 1.8m.