Majura Valley farmers have read the fine print of the government's lease offer to them - and they're not happy.
Planning Minister Chris Steel last month revealed the ACT government had agreed to offer the farmers 25-year leases in-principle, depending on the outcome of negotiations with the Commonwealth regarding a land transfer on the farms.
The farmers say Mr Steel's letter to them, dated August 16, had more detail in it, including that the offer contained restrictions that would limit the transfer of the leases to a third party.
The Liberal opposition says its lease offer to the farmers contains no such restrictions - and they will be treated the same as any other rural lessee in the ACT.
The farmers were also concerned about the minister's language in the letter to them, including the use of the word "intent", saying it offered them no assurances the lease offer would ever come to fruition.
"The government's intent is to offer 25-year leases with no withdrawal clause in order to provide you with certainty of tenure," Mr Steel wrote in the letter.
There were also doubts raised about how urgently the matter has been treated, and whether there has been a dragging of feet by the ACT government before caretaker arrangements start at midnight on September 13, ahead of the October 19 poll.
The Majura Valley Landcare Group has written to the minister, asking the government to not let the matter fall by the wayside again, after the farmers have already been waiting nearly 20 years for a lease.
"They are faced with yet another election, with no progress or resolute outcomes," the letter read.
Mr Steel confirmed in his letter to the farmers the "ACT government is unable to offer any new lease agreements until the land is degazetted from national land and becomes territory land".
He further said the" ACT government has agreed to commence formal negotiation with the Commonwealth government for degazettal of the split blocks, based on the following position", and then outlined the lease offer.
Mr Steel claims negotiations have been ongoing with the Commonwealth since March. But it is in August he is referring to starting "formal negotiation".
Federal Finance Minister Katy Gallagher gave in-principle support to the land transfer back in March, allowing Defence to negotiate with the ACT over the terms.
Then in June, Ms Gallagher wrote to farmer Paul Keir saying Defence was still waiting for the ACT to get the approval to start the negotiations.
Ms Gallagher also revealed then she had written to Chief Minister Andrew Barr "urging the ACT government to move to resolve the Majura split blocks matter as a high priority, noting the impact it is having on you and the other residents".
A spokesperson for the ACT government maintained negotiations had been ongoing.
"The ACT government and the Australian government have been engaging on this issue for several years and have met regularly to discuss terms of transfer since the ACT government received in-principle agreement from the Australian government for degazettal earlier this year," they said.
The government had also reacted to concerns about restrictions to the transfer of the leases outlined in its offer.
Mr Steel said in his letter to the farmers that the lease offer included "conditions that would limit the transfer of the leases to a third party".
"The intention of the government is to offer rural leases so that they can continue to be enjoyed by the occupiers particularly to continue agribusiness activities," the government spokesperson said.
"The transfer mechanisms will be considered as we work through next steps, noting that the ACT government will not take the lease from a family in the event of the death of a lessee.
"The restrictions on transfer are intended to ensure that the period of any leases, including any agreed transfers of the leases, do not go beyond a 25-year period in total and that land management plans are in place to support rural land-use. This will ensure that the government can consider if the land is suitable for future industrial or employment uses beyond this period."
Liberals deputy leader Leanne Castley said the Majura Valley farmers would not have extra restrictions put on them under their lease offer to the farmers, saying they would be treated like any other rural lessee in the ACT.
"The Canberra Liberals will offer the Majura Valley farmers renewed 25-year leases in line with their request," she said.
"This provides for certainty and will enable the leaseholders in the Majura Valley to have confidence to invest in their businesses going forward, take out mortgages or sell/exchange the property.
"Like other rural ACT leaseholders, the lease will be treated the same as any other crown lease or rural lease arrangement and allow for a change of circumstances such as changes to financial circumstances or if the lessee dies or has been ordered by a court due to domestic relationship changes or insolvency.
"The Canberra Liberals will also allow for new people to take up leases provided they comply with the appropriate land management agreement(s) - this is in line with existing rural leases and allows for the sale and purchase of farms and rural properties."
