Greens MLC Ian Cohen is calling on the state government to lower the rural lands levy for drought-stricken farmers and bring an end to unsustainable farming.
“Farmers are forced to pay almost $3,500 in extra taxes every year - and they're over-stocking their land to foot the bill,” Mr Cohen said.
An average western NSW farmer with 11,000 sheep is made to cough up around $3,400 for the Rural Lands Protection Board annually.
The levy is in addition to the $9,000 they pay in water rates and the $12,000 in council or shire rates.
“But, with a 40-year drought hovering over them, farmers can ill afford the extra cost,” Mr Cohen said.
"Farmers are forced to over-stock their land to pay the levy, trampling on any chance they have of maintaining native salt bush cover to combat salinity.
“I have written to Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald urging him to reduce the levy in times of drought, or risk encouraging unsustainable farming practices. Government policies should encourage long-term, environmentally-friendly agriculture, not schemes that put more pressure on the land.
"The rural lands levy is just too high," Mr Cohen said.
The Rural Lands Protection Board is the government body that is designed to play a key role in protecting rural lands in New South Wales. The Board is in the front line for administration of drought relief amongst other forms of assistance to farmers.
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