Covid Restrictions - Implications for Landcare

Advice about how landcare activities can or should continue during the current COVID lockdown.

Landcare Victoria Inc. has been contacted by a couple of landcare groups seeking advice about how landcare activities can or should continue during the current COVID lockdown.

The key information resource is the rules concerning authorised providers and workers here.

These rules state that an authorised worker is any person who performs work that is essential for the continued operation (Landcare Victoria’s emphasis) of:

• Farm, animal and bloodstock leasing activities, including: farming activities and other operations relating to agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, irrigation, permaculture, apiculture, grains, fibre production, dairy, flower industry, commercial fishing, aquaculture and livestock;
• A business or undertaking providing essential support services to permitted agriculture, forestry and fishing activities, such as food safety and verification, inspection or associated laboratory services and biosecurity functions.

In deciding on a permit, Landcare groups need to be satisfied that the proposed landcare activity is an example of ‘other operations relating to agriculture’ that is essential for the continued operation of agriculture. It this is the case, it follows that the landcare group or network is a business or undertaking providing those essential support services. The group could then proceed to issue essential worker permits as required.

Whatever decision is taken, it is very important that landcare groups conform to all the other rules relevant to COVID safety.

A key point is that Landcare Victoria Inc. cannot provide member groups with authoritative advice about whether particular activities can be carried out. That judgement must be made locally.