Preserve the Majura Valley's landscape character, farm tourism, and Heritage.
Help Us Protect The Majura Valley
Preserve the Majura Valley's landscape character, farm tourism, and Heritage.
Save Majura Valley - Support Our Landholders
The Majura Valley is currently at a critical juncture, with urgent discussions underway between the Commonwealth and Territory Governments regarding its land use and future development. The area is home to several rural Crown leases known as 'split blocks,' where the land is divided between National and Territory jurisdictions. These divisions, which do not align with established block boundaries, have created significant challenges for local landholders dating back to 1989 when self-government was introduced in the ACT.
The five properties affected by the National/Territory split blocks expired on 31 December 2005. These properties are some of the oldest houses and occupied leases in the region, and like other leases in the ACT, they had long-term leases that were expected to renew. Despite continuing to pay rates and land taxes, split block landholders cannot obtain loans from their banks or sell their farms because they do not have a lease, leaving them in limbo for 20 years.
The five split blocks are located within the Eastern Broadacre Strategic Assessment area, which is currently in draft form and with the Commonwealth to comment on its future development. This lack of urgency and accountability has left the landholders uncertain and unable to renew their leases due to unresolved National/Territory land issues. While the East Canberra District Strategy and Strategic Assessment identifies this area as a potential site for new industrial and employment opportunities, it is also home to critically endangered species, including natural temperate grasslands, the striped legless lizard, and the grassland earless dragon.
The proposal for East Canberra and the Majura Valley does not recognise the farmers' work to protect the environment, our First Nations and European history, and Canberra's food insecurity. The Majura Valley, a land farmed by European settlers for nearly 200 years and thousands of years before by the Ngunnawal people, holds a significant historical and cultural value that must be protected.
The Strategic Assessment is focused only on industrial development. However, there is a pressing need to consider the ongoing rural use of this land to support food security, hazard reduction, and environmental stewardship.
The community spoke loud and clear when the public consulted on the East Canberra District Strategy. They want economic opportunities for agriculture and tourism and for the ACT Government to consider the environmental cost of poor planning. Most of the land identified for industrial development has been heavily affected by flooding. Most importantly, they want the ACT Government to support the farmers: https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/act-planning-review/draft-east-canberra-district-strategy. Once again, your voice matters in this collective advocacy. You are the driving force behind this movement for change to recognise the Majura Valley as a public good.
Your support is not just important; it's vital. It's essential the ACT Government:
- Commit to their promise and give the split block leaseholders a lease before the caretaker period.
- Save productive farmland and provide certainty for agricultural leaseholders through long-term leases.
- Protect local farmers' livelihoods and invest in a balanced consideration for rural use through a strategic assessment in East Canberra that includes current land use and flood studies.
- Preserve the land for sustainable agriculture and heritage.
Together, we can advocate for a balanced approach that supports economic growth and the region's environmental and agricultural heritage.
Take action now before the caretaker period. Contact your local representative and help save the Majura Valley.