works program Appendix B

Land management - works program

Planning permit number: __________________________________________________________________

Name: _A & K Perry & Perry Pastoral Investments________ Phone: ___0429 933 351_______________

Property address: _______479 Glen Alvie Road, Glen Alvie VIC 3979______________

Council property number: ______________________ Farm Size:____133.01__ ha

(as per your rate notice)

Farm Type

Dairy Horticulture

X Grazing – Dairy young stock & beef cattle Viticulture

Grazing - Sheep Cropping

Grazing - Other Hobby

Intensive Animal Industries - Eggs, Chicken, Meat, Poultry Other

a. Aim of the Farm Business

AL and KL Perry own and operate a 300-cow dairy farm on 121.4 ha at 390 Kongwak – Inverloch Road,

Kongwak. In addition, they own this 133ha property at 479 Glen Alvie Road and run it as a young stock

support and fodder area. This property provides help the business mitigate the risks associated with

volatile fodder prices and potential dry periods or extreme wet weather periods.

The 133ha is currently in 3 titles, one of which is 41.48 ha upon which an historic cottage is located. This

cottage has a national heritage overlay. The Perry’s seek to alter the title organisation on this property. The

proposal that they wish to be considered by council to assist with future farm management is as follows;

Lot 1; 1.502ha and will include the historic cottage and some shedding

Lot 2: Comprises the remaining farm land of 131.49ha

This title re-arrangement would result in:

• A reduction of 3 existing titles to 1 farming title and 1 with a house and 1.5ha.

• One large lot that provides an adequate support area for a 300 cow dairy farm. (Retained for

agriculture).

• The excision of the heritage listed cottage, which would enable other individuals to pursue the idea

of restoration and potential tourism use, without the complication of having to manage a section of

valuable agricultural land around it.

• The proposal also allows the farmers (Perry) to farm without having to be concerned about the

heritage listed building which they cannot afford to invest cash into. The Perry’s are focused on

improving both of their farm properties and this absorbs all available surplus cash from their farm

business.

Land Management Plan

• It should also be noted that the two adjoining properties are both commercial multigenerational dairy

farms which will continue in dairy for a long period. To the west the dairy farm milks 500 cows and to

the South the dairy farm milks 300 cows. Both these farms are accessed from Korrine Road.

• This proposal supports all the objectives of the Rural Land Use Strategy listed above and in

particular achieves consolidation rather than fragmentation of titles. It also clearly defines the rural

land and the heritage listed assets.

b. Summary of land management issues - erosion, salinity, pest plants and animals, wet areas, soil

types, remnant vegetation, water courses

There are a number of focus areas in terms of land management on this farm:

Soil types - The combination of soil type and rainfall means that the growing season can be as long as 11-

12 months which would place the land as Class 1 or 2 under the Department of Agriculture assessment of

agricultural quality of land developed by Swan and Volum. The current pastures are of a reasonable

quality and the property is generally weed free.

The topography of the property varies from gently undulating to small sections of steep land. It was

originally a dairy farm and consequently has reasonable subdivision, cattle tracks and water supply. The

Perry Family has developed the property further since purchase and have increased fertiliser rates to

increase productivity.

Wet areas – There are a number of waterways and a creek adjoining this land. namely, West Creek East

Branch. Efforts will be made to protect these waterways in the future. There are already significant areas of

shelter belts composed of native tress in the gullies. These have been fenced off to eliminate stock access.

This work will continue into the future as outlined below.

Fencing – The fencing is of mixed quality and plans are in place to improve both external and internal

fences.

Pest plant & animals – Not a significant concern on this land

Erosion & Salinity – There is no evidence of either of these potential issues on this land.

c. Description of how the land management issues will be addressed

• Layout changes

There will be no changes in farm layout directly related to this potential subdivision other than the removal

of the 1.5ha block. The change from 3 title to a single title will not change how this farm is operated.

However, the owners have plans to improve existing tracks and subdivision on the farm as funds allow in

the future. These would see improved tracks around the farm to allow for the easier movement of stock.

Internal fences will also be realigned with some to follow the creeks. These creeks will be fenced off from

cattle and trees planted in them.

• Management practices

The farm will continue to be used for dairy heifer replacements and potentaily some beef cattle. It will also

provide fodder for the Perry’s Kongwak dairy farm in terms of hay & silage. The 131ha title will be a very

productive agricultural property with good soils and reliable rainfall.

The property already has a good set of stock yards for ease of management of cattle and a hay shed to

secure feed.

Property Management Planning – Proposed Farm Improvements

Activity/Actions Proposed timeline Date Completed

Improve the subdivision and tracks on the farm

to allow for better rotational grazing and the

ease of movement of cattle

This will be ongoing work as

cashflow allows

30/09/2024

• Fencing

Boundary fences are sufficient around the property but improvement will be required over time. Some

fences are aged and will need maintaining or replacing. This will be done and the farm will be subdivided

into more suitable paddock sizes in the future.

• Revegetation

The property is extensively cleared with no revegetation required. However, the owners are seeking to

plant trees in the future in gullys and creeks to provide shelter for cattle. The pictures below provide an

indication of trees planted in a gully on the farm.

Pest Management Plan

Pest animals include rabbits and foxes are declared pest animals in accordance with the Catchment and

Land Protection (CaLP) Act 1994. Pest animals degrade land quality and, on this property, may threaten the

crops being grown. Foxes, snakes and rabbits are not an issue on this property. This is aided by good

grazing practises and weeds being kept under control. This provides less cover for pest animals and in turn

they will move away or be eradicated on the farm.

The management principles for pest animals include:

• Reduce numbers

• Destroy burrows

• Prevent reinvasion

Pest Animal Control

Pest name Control measure Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Foxes Shooting X X X X X X X X X X X X

Foxes Baiting X X X X X X X X X X X X

Snakes Trapping

Snake handler

X X X X X X X X X X X X

Rabbits Baiting X X X X X

Management Techniques

Where poisoning or shooting is required, the procedure used must conform strictly to the recommendations

and regulations set out by the Department of Environment, Land, Water Environment and Planning

(DELWP).

Assistance will be sought from Landcare or other similar organisations to assist with developing a

management plan as required for this property. Any such actions will be done after consulting

neighbouring landowners to develop a plan for the greater area rather that this small property in question.

Ag VIC recommends integrated pest management using all available control measures implemented in a

coordinated manner at a landscape scale.

Pasture & Weed Management Plan

A strategic program for management and eradication of weeds within the property is required. Weed

control is an ongoing activity and, in this case, is required into perpetuity to protect the soil and the plants

sown by the farm owner. Wherever possible, weed control should use non-chemical methods. The following

table sets out weed control methods and appropriate timing of these controls. It should be noted there are

no significant issues with weeds on this farm at this time. Ongoing management of weeds will be completed

as required with any farm property. The below works will be completed as per best practice guide lines

from the Department of Environment, Land, Water Environment and Planning (DELWP) and Landcare.

Weed Control

Weed name Control

measure

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Blackberries Spray

herbicide

X X X X X X

Blackberries Dig out X X X X X X X X

Capeweed Spray

herbicide

X X X X X

Common

mallow

Spray

herbicide

X X X X X X X

Kikuyu Spray

herbicide

X X X X X X X

Dock Plants Spray

herbicide

X X X X X

Management of the Creek & Waterways

This property has a number of waterways running through it. The West Creek – East Branch runs along the

west side of this property with a number of waterways collecting run off from this land. Some waterways

are already fenced off with the current owner’s keen to continue this work. This is all part of the

development of this farm which will continue in the coming years.

Landcare will be called upon for advice on this work to ensure best practise is followed. They will also

advise suitable tree and shrub species to be used in this area. See one of the waterways below.

Water – Fencing off or protecting all water resources

Activity/Actions Proposed timeline Date Completed

Fence of the Creeks the property to protect then

from cattle

This will be done in stages as

time and cashflow allows.

30/09/2023

Plant trees in the creeks and/or gullys once they

are fenced off.

This will be done in stages as

time and cashflow allows.

30/09/2025

Summary;

• If at any stage in the future the Perry Family decided to sell the remaining title, the land parcel is of a

size that would make it attractive to other farmers.

• The separation of the heritage list house allows for this parcel to be sold and the funds invested

back into the remaining rural land as outlined in this report. In turn this will improve the quality of

land and water in this area and strength the viability of farming in this shire.

• The heritage listed cottage which is in need of restoration could be acquired by another party and

utilised for tourism or as a country dwelling. The Perry Family are dairy farmers and have no funds

to invest in the restoration of the cottage which dates back to the late 1880’s.

• Post the proposed subdivision, the cottage will continue to be protected by the heritage overlay

regardless of the owner of the property. This proposal clearly defines rural land and heritage listed

assets which will greatly assist in simplifying the management of both asset types in the future.

• If this proposal is supported, all parcels of land would be fit for purpose. The 1.5ha cottage area is

nestled in a valley area in the south east corner of the property and would have no impact on the

agricultural activities on the remaining agricultural land. The cottage is 12 minutes from Wonthaggi

and 18 minutes from Inverloch.

• The proposal supports all aspects of the Rural Land Use Planning Policy. In particular, it reduces

fragmentation of some of the highest quality agricultural land in the Bass Coast Shire and

encourages the consolidation of rural lots.

• This proposal ensures that the house lot excision is undertaken for legitimate reasons - in this case

for the preservation of an historic dwelling which would otherwise not occur.

• Finally, the outcome being sought here supports the continuance of dairy farming or grazing which

are still major industries within the Bass Coast Shire.

Prepared by;

Brian Gannon

Agribusiness Advisor

09/09/2020