Urban Vs Rural

 



There are approximately 134,000 farm businesses in Australia, 99 percent of which are family owned and operated. Each Australian farmer produces enough food to feed 600 people, 150 at home and 450 overseas. Australian farmers produce almost 93 percent of Australia’s daily domestic food supply.
As of 2010-11, there are 307,000 people employed in Australian agriculture. The complete agricultural supply chain, including the affiliated food and fibre industries, provide over 1.6 million jobs to the Australian economy.

Farmers work longer hours. Working hours are similar for people in urban and rural areas, although workers in urban areas (52%) are more likely than people in rural areas (37%) to commute more than 6 hours per week. Farmers and agricultural workers work much longer hours than other occupational groups. Nearly half (45%) work more than 50 hours per week, compared with 11% of the population.

PROPORTION OF LAND USED FOR AGRICULTURE BY STATE AND TERRITORY - 2011

Source: ABS Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2010–11 (cat. no. 7121.0

 

 

 

 

Conflict of land:

 

The presence of agriculture and non-rural land use in the one location can often generate conflict due to their potential incompatibility. Agriculture can affect adjoining small rural lots which are used essentially for residential purposes. Similarly, the presence of small rural lots creates an adverse influence on the continued operation of the agricultural enterprise. The issue of rural-urban conflict can arise when there is no separation between incompatible uses, let alone the misunderstanding which may exist about the purpose and character of a district. Land use conflicts may arise in such situations through noise, odour, farm chemicals, light, visual amenity, dogs, stock damage and weed infestation, lack of understanding and lack of communication to name just a few.

 

Increasing competition for the available land tends to intensify the agricultural practices.Much of the agriculture is intensive by nature given the typically small property size in preferred agricultural areas. Market gardening, turf farming and poultry production are important along with horses, cattle grazing, dairying and orcharding.

 

How to overcome the conflict:

 

Education is the key to overcoming the conflict.

 

Local Government can play  role in the overall education process which is important to overcome conflict. Many NSW Councils place a special notation on all Section 149 Certificates (these are required to be part of a contract to sell land and stipulate the zoning and other planning issues associated with a parcel of land) so as all future purchases of rural land, especially rural residential purchasers, are advised of the surrounding agricultural uses and thereby the potential for conflict. This can be combined with media releases and other methods of disseminating the agricultural message to inform this diverse audience such as articles in Council newsletters and the Annual Report. Other government departments can also assist. NSW Agriculture for example, produces farmer publications (Agfacts, Producer Newsletters) that can aid in educating the public. Departmental extension staff provide advice on sustainable land management practices.