Association president Jock Laurie says the loss of agricultural production, local jobs and the on-going management of the land shoudl have been considered by the State Government, on top of its desire to acquire the water holdings.

"At a time when world food supply is so critical and drought is still having a major impact on NSW farms, the State Government must find the balance between addressing environmental concerns and ensuring sustainable food production into the future," Mr Laurie said.

"It is good to see the Government going into the market to purchase water instead of acquiring it through compulsory acquisition, however we do question why they need to tie up all the dryland agricultural production on this property."

The NSW Government intends to turn the 91,000ha property turned into a national park as part of the NSW and Federal Government’s plan to save the Murray – Darling Basin.

"The ongoing management of noxious weeds and pests on the property must be secured, and the Government will need to provide neighbouring landholders with a detailed plan on how they intend to manage this huge parcel of land once it is turned into a national park," Mr Laurie said.

"Farmers across NSW spend millions of dollars each and every year on control programs for weeds and pests and we need to ensure the same is done within all national parks.

"If weeds and pests are left unattended, the impacts on surrounding properties are quickly felt by local landholders."