Pastoralists have accused the State Government of failing to listen to their concerns about proposed rangelands reforms.

Public consultation on the State Government’s planned changes began almost a fortnight ago with a forum in Perth and will continue through the month.

Pastoralists and Graziers Association president Tony Seabrook said the Minister for Lands, Terry Redman, had not listened to the concerns of what would be contained in the Bill, expressed by its members during several meeting across the State since last year.

The full 144-page Bill was officially released only on April 6.

Mr Seabrook said the Government’s intention to scrap the Pastoral Lands Board and replace with Pastoral and Rangelands Advisory Board was simply unacceptable.

He also said the prospect of an advisory board that included conservationists and other interest groups who didn’t support the industry had spooked station owners throughout WA.

“Our members are also concerned about the minister having unprecedented powers in terms of lease renewals, stocking levels, pest management and rents,” he said.

But Mr Redman strongly defended proposed changes, saying it was determined to resolve native title and unlock the potential of WA’s vast rangelands.

He said he had tried to deal with concerns about the axing of the PLB. Under his plan, the minister would have to seek advice from a government-appointed panel with industry experience before making a decision adverse to a pastoralist, and the pastoralist would have the right of appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal.

Mr Seabrook said he was urging attendance at the Emergency PGA Pastoral Reform Forum on Friday, April 29, in the Councillors Lounge at the Royal Agricultural Society Showgrounds, Claremont.

“This is an opportunity for all pastoral members to not only listen to independent legal and industry advice on how the proposed rangelands reforms will affect your lease, but to also provide any insight or concerns you and other members may have with these changes,” Mr Seabrook said.

“Pastoralists have had limited opportunity to see the Bill and understand the impact on their operations going forward,” he said.