North Perth is among a growing number of municipalities that are concerned with delays in farm property assessments.
Frances Hale, Director of Finance for North Perth, says one issue is the sale of farmland and how Agricorp handles the land designation change that happens when a sale occurs.
"When a transcation takes place, the property reverts back to residential and doesn't keep its farmland designation until the farmer completes the paperwork required, and we would like that they find another solution to this," said Hale.
Hale says that North Perth would prefer the sold land remain designated as farmland and only be classed as residential if the paperwork isn't filed in a timely fashion or there is a delay in the sale. She says the delays in properly assessing farmland is a hassle for local farmers and municipalities who are trying to properly tax properties and get budgets sorted out.
In terms of finding a workable solution, Hale says that North Perth will be sending a request to Agricorp to work with them, local farm groups, MPAC, and another key group, too.
"So getting them to work with not just us and farmers, but possibly the law society, as well, because the lawyers are involved in the transaction, to try and rectify this to make it a smoother, less cumbersome and disruptive process," added Hale.
