Community
30 July, 2025
Simpson calls for subdivisions
WITH council denying permits for subdivisions to curve the rising threat of tree plantations, a petition in Simpson reached 70 signatures urging councillors to consider otherwise.
The petition was presented to Corangamite Shire Council at this month’s Ordinary Meeting by Simpson and District Community Centre coordinator Debra Smith.
Corangamite Shire Council has been denying subdivision applications on the premise of preventing prime agricultural land being sold from dairy farming to plantation operating.
However, Mrs Smith raised concerns the land was still being sold to plantations regardless, leaving the empty houses to rot.
“We are asking that you reconsider your stance on not subdividing houses from farms sold to forestry companies within the area,” Mrs Smith said.
“We understand your reasoning behind the decision, however what we want you to understand is the impact that decision is having on our community.
“With a loss of housing, we’re seeing a loss of community members, less children at the primary school and preschool, less members coming through clubs and organisations, loss of business to local stores, loss of business for trades, loss of skilled workers and less capital improvements and populations in the area.
“For the first time in years Simpson Football Club has not been able to field a full junior side. Each junior side is being bolstered by the one lower.
“That’s a reflection of the loss of population.”
Mrs Smith said council’s decision to keep farms whole without giving the option to subdivide was having a detrimental impact on the community.
“The intent to keep farms whole, so in 25 years they can return to farming, is having an impact on our community now,” she said.
“In 25 years, we may not have a community.
“Who aside from corporate farmers are going to be able to turn that land back into farm in 25 years?
“The farms are being sold to trees because of decisions at federal and state level and that’s outside our control.
“We ask that you not sacrifice what is left of our community but help build on what is left.”
Mrs Smith later responded to questions from Western District Newspapers and said the decision to start a petition came to her during a meeting held at the community centre.
“People were talking about the housing shortage and then got on to the number of empty houses out on the tree farms and how they’re just going to rack and ruin,” she said.
“It’s like a ghost town – every time you drive past the plantations the houses on the lots are more and more dilapidated.
“It’s a conversation I’ve heard with men at the men’s shed, from the ladies at the craft group, through conversations at the general store – it’s a community sentiment.”
Mrs Smith said people are leaving the dairy industry due to low profitability and being affected by drought.
“In the year 2000 there were approximately 6200 dairy farms in Victoria,” she said.
“In 2021-2022 there were 2980 – that’s halved in 25 years.
“What’s going to happen in another 25 years?
“The plantations are a real threat to our dairy farms but we won’t have a community left to be dairy farming.”
Mrs Smith said in presenting the petition to council she hoped to give councillors a community perspective.
“They’re thinking of the bigger picture and are looking at the shire as a whole, which I understand,” she said.
“But we want to bring our community perspective because we think it’s important.
“That’s what they’re here for, the ratepayers, and that’s us.”
Council policy is to respond to petitions at the following Ordinary Meeting of Council, which will occur on Tuesday, August 26.
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