Meant to last for one hour, the convoys of tractors were still edging their way up or down Devon St at 2pm. The protestors are calling for a halt on new government regulations affecting agriculture including the “ute tax , new freshwater regulations, winter grazing rules and indigenous biodiversity regulations. Organisers argue the regulations are strangling the rural sector, making the industry unworkable and adding further costs to a way of life already struggling to survive.
ANDY JACKSON/Stuff “We don’t feel there is any support to do with the government, Thomas says. Thomas works for Westown Agriculture, a family owned and operated farming business and on Friday the business was in town in force. Behind his blue tractor were many more.