WA farmers buck land laws

WESTERN Australian farmers are trying to repeal a controversial environmental law that they argue is destroying the value of thousands of properties.

Farmer and former state Liberal member Murray Nixon told a state parliamentary committee on Wednesday that many farmers were unaware that they were legally prevented from grazing livestock on designated sensitive areas given the classification system was snuck into legislation without adequate consultation.

"It snuck through without any debate at all," Mr Nixon said.

"You all know nobody reads the government gazette. At least it could have gone to the rural press."

The legislation was introduced in 2005 by the then Labor state government to protect wetlands in farming regions. The designated "environmentally sensitive areas" were compiled through aerial photography.

However, few out of the 3000 to 4000 affected property owners either knew their land was now subject to the new clearing restrictions or that the act of grazing was considered to be clearing under the terms of the legislation.

The legislation went largely unnoticed until Manjimup farmer Peter Swift was charged in 2009 with illegally clearing parts of his land. He won the court proceedings, but he says the deterioration in his health suffered during the intense litigation and subsequent work difficulties has meant he is now facing foreclosure.

"I've worked over 30 years on my little piece of Australia," Mr Swift said.

"I've done nothing wrong and now the bank is holding a Colt 45 to my head. I'm telling you nobody is coming through my front gate."

The Department of Environment Regulation has defended the consultation process by arguing that 17 associations and industry bodies, including at least two farming groups, were consulted prior to the 2005 legislative change.

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WA farmers buck land laws