Protect Our Farms in the national spotlight - The Australian featured Bill Chisholm’s comments from the Bush Summit, calling for fair funding for emergency services and better investment in rural Victoria. ... See MoreSee Less
Wow, wow, wow. We are so impressed by the attendance at our Community Meeting, and great contributions by all of those who were there to help us determine our goals and campaigns to stand up for rural Victoria.
On Thursday 21st August, the Protect Our Farms group held a public meeting at the Pyalong Recreation Reserve Hall. Well over 120 people attended the meeting, coming from across Mitchell Shire and beyond.
Bill Chisholm, President of Protect Our Farms was MC and spoke about the challenges facing the rural communities including the ESVF Levy/Tax on all ratepayers and farmland, the risk to Emergency Services resources and volunteer numbers.
An initial draft policy on Practical Emergency Management was also launched on the night.
The Four Key Pillars that Protect Our Farms wants to address are: • Fair Rural and Pro Farmer Policies • Practical Emergency Management • Environment and Food Security • Stopping Unfair Cost Shifting and Red Tape
Attendees were encouraged to voice their concerns and a number of speakers were able to discuss the impact of this new Tax on their farm or property, as well as concerns about how CFA, SES and other important services would be funded. Another concern was local decision making and putting that back in the hands of the community.
Other speakers were Louise Lovering, Treasurer and Therese Ryan, Secretary. Louise spoke about memberships and sought fundraising ideas. Therese discussed the impacts on farmers; and her farm and family; of the ESVF Tax. Marla Stone, POF Member presented data about the value of agriculture to Mitchell Shire (in excess of 260 million dollars per annum, 6th highest value industry across the LGA) and the need for Council to be pushing back hard on the ESVF Levy, advocating for drought declaration and being seen to support farmers during this very challenging time.
We were very grateful to have Mitchell Shire Council Councillors in attendance on the night; Mayor Cr John Dougall, Cr Bob Humm and Cr Riley Evans. We thank them for their time to come and hear all our concerns and feedback.
Also in attendance was Annabelle Cleeland MP from The Nationals. Annabelle congratulated local farmers for attending the Anti ESVF Levy rallies in Melbourne and across Victoria. She encouraged everyone to stay passionate and involved to fight the Levy and other farming/rural issues through to the State Election in 2026.
A raffle and auction were also held on the night as a fundraiser, and was a great success. Congratulations to our winners and thanks to all our prize donors and those who bought tickets and placed bids.
Corflutes with the Scrap the Tax message also flew out the doors - AND ARE STILL AVAILABLE. Show your support for just $10. ✅
Anyone who is interested in joining, helping or finding out more about Protect Our Farms, can visit farmprotect.org/ Alternately you can email fightback@farmprotect.org We'd encourage all concerned community members to join us, as the bigger we are the more impact we can have.
You can order corflutes, make a donation, find out more or join as a member all via our website. ... See MoreSee Less
We need to fight the ESVF Levy!!!!!! #SCRAPTHETAX See you Thursday night!
Farmers may have have their rates increases "deferred" for 2025, but small business and retail and other Victorians' are feeling the pain now! We need as much support as we can get to fight this new tax, one which will make farming for many very difficult or even make some consider whether it is still viable.
We want farmers, and primary producers, townspeople and community to come along and help us confirm all the issues we need to fight, to protect our local communities and our farmers.
Thursday 21st August Pyalong Recreation Reserve Hall 7pm NO RSVP, please just come along if you are interested in supporting us. EVERYONE IS VERY WELCOME.
You can also purchase our corflutes on the night. $10 which will go towards our work and you can show your support for us and dislike of this new tax by placing on your gate or fence. ... See MoreSee Less
Rates notices are hitting inboxes. Have you checked yours?
If your property is rated with the RESIDENTIAL rate you'll discover the so-called Emergency Services & Volunteer Fund Levy rate has INCREASED by 198% on last year.
If your property is rated the PRIMARY PRODUCTION rate you have a 12 month reprieve but next year it will be 250% HIGHER.
Join us and help make your voice heard about this massive increase by the Vic government which burdens rural communities in particular. ... See MoreSee Less
In the current drought situation, not only are farmers and rural communities worried about how livestock will be fed and watered, they are struggling against huge issues like Rates increases, Land Tax, Emergency Services Levy, Land Access laws threatening $12K fines if you refuse access to your land, and bureaucracy and policies that threaten the livelihoods of all who live in our rural areas.
Protect Our Farms Incorporated is running a Community Meeting, all are welcome to attend. Pyalong Recreation Reserve Hall Thursday 21st August 7pm
Protect our Farms Inc is a group of ordinary local farming and rural people committed to helping identify issues and fight for our rural areas.
Farmers and Primary Producers ✅ Rural residents ✅ Anyone who wants to support what we are doing, or join us ✅
Mitchell Shire have released a survey on road safety and improvements. This survey will inform their Road Safety Strategy, due for release in 2026. Your input will help direct Council to the specific areas and issues that affect YOU and our communities. If you can spare 10 minutes, please complete the survey.
Help Shape Safer Roads in Mitchell Shire Mitchell Shire Council is developing a Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan to improve mobility and safety for all road users – drivers, riders, pedestrians,...
Protect Our Farms in the national spotlight - The Australian featured Bill Chisholm’s comments from the Bush Summit, calling for fair funding for emergency services and better investment in rural Victoria. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Amazing attendance at our Community Meeting!
Wow, wow, wow.
We are so impressed by the attendance at our Community Meeting, and great contributions by all of those who were there to help us determine our goals and campaigns to stand up for rural Victoria.
On Thursday 21st August, the Protect Our Farms group held a public meeting at the Pyalong Recreation Reserve Hall. Well over 120 people attended the meeting, coming from across Mitchell Shire and beyond.
Bill Chisholm, President of Protect Our Farms was MC and spoke about the challenges facing the rural communities including the ESVF Levy/Tax on all ratepayers and farmland, the risk to Emergency Services resources and volunteer numbers.
An initial draft policy on Practical Emergency Management was also launched on the night.
The Four Key Pillars that Protect Our Farms wants to address are:
• Fair Rural and Pro Farmer Policies
• Practical Emergency Management
• Environment and Food Security
• Stopping Unfair Cost Shifting and Red Tape
Attendees were encouraged to voice their concerns and a number of speakers were able to discuss the impact of this new Tax on their farm or property, as well as concerns about how CFA, SES and other important services would be funded. Another concern was local decision making and putting that back in the hands of the community.
Other speakers were Louise Lovering, Treasurer and Therese Ryan, Secretary. Louise spoke about memberships and sought fundraising ideas. Therese discussed the impacts on
farmers; and her farm and family; of the ESVF Tax. Marla Stone, POF Member presented data about the value of agriculture to Mitchell Shire (in excess of 260 million dollars per annum, 6th highest value industry across the LGA) and the need for Council to be pushing back hard on the ESVF Levy, advocating for drought declaration and being seen to support farmers during this very challenging time.
We were very grateful to have Mitchell Shire Council Councillors in attendance on the night; Mayor Cr John Dougall, Cr Bob Humm and Cr Riley Evans. We thank them for their time to come and hear all our concerns and feedback.
Also in attendance was Annabelle Cleeland MP from The Nationals. Annabelle congratulated local farmers for attending the Anti ESVF Levy rallies in Melbourne and across Victoria. She encouraged everyone to stay passionate and involved to fight the Levy and other farming/rural issues through to the State Election in 2026.
A raffle and auction were also held on the night as a
fundraiser, and was a great success. Congratulations to our winners and thanks to all our prize donors and those who bought tickets and placed bids.
Corflutes with the Scrap the Tax message also flew out the doors - AND ARE STILL AVAILABLE. Show your support for just $10. ✅
Anyone who is interested in joining, helping or finding out more about Protect Our Farms, can visit farmprotect.org/
Alternately you can email fightback@farmprotect.org
We'd encourage all concerned community members to join us, as the bigger we are the more impact we can have.
You can order corflutes, make a donation, find out more or join as a member all via our website. ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great article by Andrew Miller of Stock & Land
See you tonight!
Pyalong Recreation Reserve Hall
7pm
Everyone welcome ... See MoreSee Less
Protect Our Farms group pushes alternative to feared emergency services levy
www.stockandland.com.au
Protect Our Farms puts out an alternative emergency strategy.1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Don't forget
7pm
This Thursday 21st August - TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!!
Pyalong Recreation Reserve Hall
Bring a mate! Everyone is welcome. ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
We need to fight the ESVF Levy!!!!!!
#SCRAPTHETAX
See you Thursday night!
Farmers may have have their rates increases "deferred" for 2025, but small business and retail and other Victorians' are feeling the pain now! We need as much support as we can get to fight this new tax, one which will make farming for many very difficult or even make some consider whether it is still viable.
We want farmers, and primary producers, townspeople and community to come along and help us confirm all the issues we need to fight, to protect our local communities and our farmers.
Thursday 21st August
Pyalong Recreation Reserve Hall
7pm
NO RSVP, please just come along if you are interested in supporting us.
EVERYONE IS VERY WELCOME.
You can also purchase our corflutes on the night. $10 which will go towards our work and you can show your support for us and dislike of this new tax by placing on your gate or fence. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Rates notices are hitting inboxes. Have you checked yours?
If your property is rated with the RESIDENTIAL rate you'll discover the so-called Emergency Services & Volunteer Fund Levy rate has INCREASED by 198% on last year.
If your property is rated the PRIMARY PRODUCTION rate you have a 12 month reprieve but next year it will be 250% HIGHER.
Join us and help make your voice heard about this massive increase by the Vic government which burdens rural communities in particular. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
We need YOU!
In the current drought situation, not only are farmers and rural communities worried about how livestock will be fed and watered, they are struggling against huge issues like Rates increases, Land Tax, Emergency Services Levy, Land Access laws threatening $12K fines if you refuse access to your land, and bureaucracy and policies that threaten the livelihoods of all who live in our rural areas.
Protect Our Farms Incorporated is running a Community Meeting, all are welcome to attend.
Pyalong Recreation Reserve Hall
Thursday 21st August
7pm
Protect our Farms Inc is a group of ordinary local farming and rural people committed to helping identify issues and fight for our rural areas.
Farmers and Primary Producers ✅
Rural residents ✅
Anyone who wants to support what we are doing, or join us ✅
Hope to see you there 👍 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Mitchell Shire Roads Survey
Mitchell Shire have released a survey on road safety and improvements. This survey will inform their Road Safety Strategy, due for release in 2026.
Your input will help direct Council to the specific areas and issues that affect YOU and our communities.
If you can spare 10 minutes, please complete the survey.
... See MoreSee Less
Mitchell Shire Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan 2026 - 2031
engagingmitchellshire.com
Help Shape Safer Roads in Mitchell Shire Mitchell Shire Council is developing a Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan to improve mobility and safety for all road users – drivers, riders, pedestrians,...2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Farmers from across the state made our voices heard at Parliament today. ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook