Guide to pastoralists about land tenure changes

26/5/94

A guide to pastoralists on the proposed changes to pastoral land tenure has been released by the Department of Land Administration (DOLA).

Lands Minister George Cash said DOLA's guide was intended to give pastoralists an understanding of suggested reforms, recently endorsed by the State Government, to the current system of pastoral leases.

Under the current Land Act all leases expire in the year 2015. However, lessees could apply to the Lands Minister in 1995 to inquire whether their leases would be extended beyond 2015.

The Minister had until the end of 1997 to make a decision on the status of leases.

Mr Cash said the uncertainty of this arrangement for both the industry and individual pastoralists had spurred the Government to proceed with pastoral land tenure reforms as part of a total rewrite of the Land Act (1933).

The new legislation would be called the Land Administration Act.

Under this Act pastoral leases would be converted into perpetual or special leases.

·       A perpetual lease would be subject to lessees complying with lease conditions.

·       A special pastoral lease would expire on June 30, 2015. These leases would not be renewed for pastoral purposes.  The intention would be to convert to more appropriate tenures over time.

"The leases regarded as ineligible for conversion to perpetual lease are mainly located in the South-West and are regarded as no longer suitable for pastoral leasing," Mr Cash said.

"There are a number of leases in other regions of the State which will also be ineligible as they are considered non-sustainable pastoral enterprises."

Mr Cash said the reforms aimed to create a viable and vibrant pastoral industry for the 21st century by ensuring security of tenure for pastoralists.

"Security of tenure will enable pastoralists to focus on long-term planning for the regeneration of existing degraded areas and sustainable use of the rangelands," he said.

Under the proposed changes the conversion to perpetual lease would occur over 12 to 18 months through application to the Lands Minister.

Mr Cash said a joint taskforce would be formed to develop criteria for assessing leases eligible for conversion.

"The criteria will reflect key concerns for the sustainable use of the rangelands and revitalisation of the pastoral industry," he said.

The Minister said Government would work closely with the Pastoralists' and Graziers' Association and the Western Australian Farmers' Federation to ensure the reforms satisfied both Government and industry expectations.

Media contact:  Caroline Lacy 222 9595