Victorian farmers are fighting development access to farmland. Image – VFF Facebook.

VICTORIAN farmers fighting energy and housing developments are asking other Victorians to support them in protecting prime farmland by signing a petition.

The Victorian Farmers Federation said the ‘Help protect Victorian farmland’ campaign and petition is designed to remind governments and decision makers that farmers and the rural communities they support are vital to the state’s success.

The VFF is calling for a change in how land use decisions are made, with a particular focus on food security, local communities, and long-term sustainability.

The petition has come as farmers are blocking access to some properties by VicGrid which is attempting to do environmental surveys for the proposed VNI West transmission line.

VFF president Brett Hosking said Victoria’s farmland represents a huge asset that needs protecting.

“Our farmland is an economic powerhouse that underpins more than 150,000 jobs and contributes in excess of $20 billion to the Victorian economy each year.

“Victoria is Australia’s food bowl and our farmland is a national treasure, producing almost a quarter of the nation’s food, from just three per cent of arable Australian land,” he said.

“Our farmers protect and conserve our state’s incredible biodiversity, as well as being industry leaders in the emissions reduction our planet needs so urgently.

“Farmers and the soil they farm are irreplaceable and I’m urging everyone to back our farmers,” Mr Hosking said.

“We must send this message loud and clear to governments right across the Nation,” Mr Hosking said.

The VFF said across the state productive agricultural land is facing challenges for competing land use, such as housing estates, mining approvals, transmission corridors and large-scale energy projects. The federation estimates that more than 100,000 hectares of farmland has been lost to housing in the past 10 years.

The VFF is urging the Victorian Government to develop a statewide strategy that:

• Protects high-value agricultural land from fragmentation;
• Ensures real consultation with local communities;
• Provides fair compensation for landholders and communities; and
• Guarantees shared benefits for regional areas impacted by development.

Mr Hosking said the VFF is not asking for development to stop.

“We’re asking for it to be planned with intelligence, respect and an eye to the future.”

“It’s time we looked at our Victorian farmers and rural communities as an icon to be celebrated for all they provide to our economy, community and environment,” he said.

“I’m asking you to join us and help celebrate them with me.”

Victorians can support the campaign and sign the petition at https://www.vff.org.au/help-protect-victorian-farmland/