Farmers attack shoddy Govt, PWD treatment

Farmers affected by controversial clearing bans imposed in the Kent, Warren and Denmark river catchment areas are fed up with shoddy treatment they have received from the State Government and the Public Works Department. Some are even pressing ahead with clearing despite the bans, as they believe the Government is lingering too long in replying to applications for clearing permits. The Country Areas Water Supplies Act and its amendments have caused many property owners to consider leaving their land after years building up their properties, many of which are no longer viable because of the imposition of the legislation. A volatile Farmers Union action committee meeting was held at Bokarup Hall last Thursday and 40 farmers attacked the government's attitude, but more especially castigated the Public Works Department's approach. A motion was unanimously passed censuring the Public Works Department's attitude and in particular certain statements made by senior Public Works Department official, Mr Sheldon, some of which were believed to be in direct conflict with statements made by the Minister for Public Works and Water Supplies, Mr MacKinnon. This article contains two photographs: Raelene Reclaim posing on some grass; and Farmers Union Research Officer John Groves, Perillup farmer Bert Henderson and Farmers Union Vice-President Winston Crane. PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to provide a public view of this newspaper article as the copyright is held by the publisher. If you would like to obtain a copy of this newspaper article for research purposes, please ‘request a copy'. This article is part of the WISALTS (Whittington Interceptor Sustainable Agriculture Land Treatment Society Incorporated) Collection