Streamlining and Property Management Systems

The business of farming is changing. No longer is it enough that farmers just meet demand for their produce, nowadays there is a growing list of other players who want to know more about how farmers manage their land and production systems. Communities and consumers, processors and markets, as well as regulatory and catchment management agencies – each of these groups have expectations and requirements they want to see being met as part of the way farmers do their business. Many farmers are already responding to this challenge by using business management systems to help them comply with regulations, enhance sustainable farming practices, and demonstrate their environmental credentials. Collectively, these business management systems comprise a wide range of property planning and management system approaches, or as they are increasingly being called, Property Management Systems (PMS). Commonly known PMS include environmental management systems, whole farm planning, and environmental best management practices. The Victorian Government has supported many of these approaches over the years, but recognises that more can be done to make the business of farming easier. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has started a new project called Streamlining and Property Management Systems to explore ways to reduce the regulatory burden faced by farmers, and to encourage the use of PMS approaches as a way of managing the changing farming environment. The project will investigate whether property management systems can be linked to planning schemes, compliance needs and/or approval processes, to make meeting these requirements more straightforward. This is what we mean by streamlining. The project will also develop tools, guidelines and information to support producers and other stakeholders use these approaches. Ultimately this project hopes to provide primary producers with an integrated management systems approach that will enable them to more effectively meet their regulatory obligations, demonstrate compliance with relevant industry or market requirements, while also increasing farm productivity and delivering improved environmental outcomes. To find out more about the Streamlining and Property Management Systems project, contact a member of the project team below. Melva Ryan - Project Manager Tel: (03) 5824 5530; Email: melva.ryan@dpi.vic.gov.au Jenny Wilson - Project Co-ordinator Tel: (03) 5852 0532; Mobile: 0409 865 467; Email: jenny.wilson@dpi.vic.gov.au Cate Hill - Local Government & Planning Development Officer Tel: (03) 9785 0147; Mobile: 0419 357 248; Email: cate.hill@dpi.vic.gov.au Clare Leddin - Industry Development Officer Tel: (03) 5561 9909; Mobile: 0418 507 241; Email: clare.leddin@dpi.vic.gov.au Chrissy Reeves - Development Officer Tel: (03) 9210 9286; Mobile: 0418 561 926; Email: chrissy.reeves@dpi.vic.gov.au Don Shaw - Development Officer Tel: (03) 5159 5136; Mobile: 0428 363 5136; Email: don.shaw@dpi.vic.gov.au Carl Sudholz - Development Officer Tel: (03) 5362 0730; Mobile: 0438 574 665; Email: carl.sudholz@dpi.vic.gov.au Carmen Zerafa - Development Officer Tel: (03) 5366 0057; Email: carmen.zerafa@dpi.vic.gov.au Lynda Wilson - Project Officer Tel: (02) 6030 4620; Mobile: 0407 364 156; Email: lynda.m.wilson@dpi.vic.gov.au Links to other relevant sites: Environmental Management Systems Services and Information for New Rural Landholders