Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party MLC Mark Banasiak will be moving amendments to legislation that will ensure Crown Land, like National Parks and State Parks, share the costs to repair and replace shared boundary fences taken down in natural disasters.
The current laws state that Crown land is exempt from any obligation to assist in replacing or repairing fences.
“When many of the fires that have destroyed these boundary fences have started on Crown land, I think that is unfair.
“I will be looking at the legislation, and I intend on bringing it up to standard through amendments,” said Mr Banasiak.
One piece of legislation Mr Banasiak will be looking at is the Dividing Fences Act 1991. This Act outlines the liability of landowners when it comes to a broken boundary fence. Crown land is exempt. However, it does not prevent organisations like National Parks and Wildlife Services or Forestry Corporation from entering into agreements.
“Getting money out of this Government for a bush issue like fencing will be like getting blood out of a stone.
“Forestry has already stated they won’t be helping one landowner who will have to fork out almost $100 000 to replace fencing shared with them.
“We have the Nationals Member for Clarence in one electorate recognising that it is not good enough and that his Government need to do a better job.
“Unfortunately, National MP’s in bush electorates just don’t have the support they need from their leader John Barilaro, who true to form, has gone silent on yet another bush issue.
“The solution here is really quite simple. Good neighbours share the cost.
“If the Government wanted to be good neighbours they would have popped next door and started a conversation about costs.
“This legislation allows the Government to shirk responsibility.
“The truth is there are many issues with Crown land. We also know they do not pay land rates to local Councils.
“This Government is essentially couch surfing on taxpayer land and making them foot the bill for the damage they cause.
“It’s time someone pulled the couch out from under them,” said Mr Banasiak.
