Tourists trample on canola fields

York farmer and Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA president Tony Seabrook said people must respect farmland. 

“People have to recognise that it is someone's private property and to not walk around on it like it is a public asset,” said Mr Seabrook. 

York Shire president David Wallace said the Shire has contacted Main Roads and local police about the issue, but does not want to stop people visiting altogether. 

“It is a catch 22,” he said. 

“The canola brings tourists to town –  but it is an issue going on private property.

“It would be good if they stayed out of the paddocks and took photos from the fence.”

Mr Wallace asked for people to be safe when stopping to view crops on busy roads. 

“Stop at an area that is safe to do so and if you are unsure visit the York Tourist Information Centre and they can advise you,” he said. 

However, if tourists really want to walk through the crops, they can at PetTeet farm in Gilgering, a 30 minute drive from York. 

Farmer Kevin Johnson said they planted a 20 metre squared canola crop purely for tourists. 

“The difference between ours and the farmers is we encourage people to walk through it,” he said. “We actually decided to do this because we heard farmers were frustrated with people walking in their canolas.”

Mr Johnson said about 80 tourists came to his farm on the weekend, for the crop and to see his animals. 

“We have one nearly flowered out by the weekend but another one will come out in three weeks,” he said. “We use sprinklers so it will go longer than usual.”

PetTeen Park is located on 1625 Qualen West Road, Gilgering.

Wildflower season is also in full bloom at the moment with the high flowering season running from August to October. 

A warning in a pamphlet released by the York Land Conservation District Council to tread gently when viewing the flowers and not to pick any, as the flowers are “scarce and precious”. 

Contact the Shire of York Tourist Information Centre for viewing locations.