The Mitchell Shire Council says recognising agriculture in a recent contentious landscape study is a step towards finding a balance between the area's natural beauty and supporting residents' livelihoods. or signup to continue reading Acting mayor Nathan Clark said the landscape assessment study (LAS), endorsed by council this week, was a vital tool for ensuring the shire's distinctive landscapes were protected as the shire continued to grow. Council endorsed the LAS, with modifications, at its general meeting; .
"The modifications we've made are a reflection of our commitment to both our environment and our agricultural community," Cr Clark said. "We understand that changes to planning controls can be concerning, especially for our farmers and landowners. "That's why we've taken steps to ensure that the proposed SLO will not impact essential agricultural activities.
" He said the shire was seeking to strike a balance between preserving Mitchell's natural beauty and supporting the livelihoods of residents. The proposed SLO's cover nearly 23,500 hectares of farming land, with some farmers . The LAS is described as a comprehensive review of the shire's landscapes, identifying areas of regional significance and proposing the application of a SLO to protect these areas.
But Cr Clark said the LAS was endorsed with . He said the native vegetation permit requirements would be modified to cross-reference existing exemptions outlined in Clause 52.17 (Native Vegetation) of the Mitchell .