FARMERS LEFT IN LIMBO AS LABOR BLOCKS COMMON SENSE COPPICING BILL

Thursday, 13 November 2025

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, has expressed her deep disappointment following the NSW Labor Government’s decision not to support the Biodiversity Conservation and Local Land Services Legislation Amendment (Broombush and Blue Mallee Coppicing) Bill 2025 in the NSW Parliament.

Ms Cooke said the Bill sought to provide an immediate, practical solution to support farmers affected by ongoing restrictions of coppicing activities and protect the environment from the growing threat of Mallee Strangle Vine across the Bland Shire.

“The bill was a straightforward and sensible proposal which would have allowed farmers to resume traditional coppicing practices on land that has been sustainably managed in this way for generations,” Ms Cooke said.

“The bill would not allow for the expansion of operations nor would it interfere with existing environmental reviews. Rather, it aimed to provide certainty to farmers, while allowing the necessary mapping and ecological work to continue.”

Ms Cooke said it was deeply disappointing that the Government failed to explain why the bill could not work in unison with current reviews of mapping errors and the Critically Endangered Ecological Community status. 

She will take some time regroup with affected farmers and determine the next path forward.

“Farmers have now gone more than a year without an income due to the suspension of coppicing operations,” Ms Cooke said.

“They’ve been left in limbo, with no support and no clear pathway forward. This Bill offered a fair and balanced solution that supported both farmers and the environment.

“I remain absolutely committed to finding a way forward for these historically important and uniquely Australian industries. These communities have shown enormous patience and resilience throughout this process, and I will continue to fight for a fair outcome on their behalf.”