Farmers in New South Wales are able to open their gates for agritourism to diversify their incomes, but some say a headache is brewing for local governments.
Key points:
- From December 1, simplified NSW planning rules apply for farmers to conduct tourism-related businesses
- Some regional councils say the new agritourism rules will create Airbnb-like compliance problems and added pressure on local government
- Farmers and advocates welcome the change and say agribusiness is needed for farms to stay viable
The state government has simplified planning rules to make it easier for farmers to offer tourism-related activities from December 1.
Farmers can run weddings, campgrounds, roadside stalls, cafes, cellar doors and farm experiences from their properties and are exempt from lodging a development application (DA) under certain conditions, or will be fast-tracked.
However, the president of Local Government NSW, Darriea Turley, said the planning reforms were “rushed” and created a “heightened potential for land use conflict”.
“Councils will need time to consider issues such as lots without dwelling entitlements, compliance implications, unregulated clearing, and risk to life in camping areas [from fires and floods],” she said.
Flood-hit local councils said they had enough to deal with at the moment and the new planning rules for farmers created an additional burden.
“Given these concerns, LGNSW is calling for the government to allow councils to opt out of these reforms until suitable mitigations are in place,” Ms Turley said.
Happy campers will soon have the freedom to try out more farms but councils are worried.(Supplied: Hipcamp)
Added pressure on councils
Last week Clarence Valley Council voted to ask the government for permission to opt out of the policy and extend the review time.
Deborah Novak is a registered primary producer and a Clarence Valley councilor and sees the policy will cause logistical headaches for her council.
“It puts a lot of pressure on staff and those resources aren’t there,” Ms Novak said.
“It feels very rushed. Think about Airbnb; this is the same issue that Airbnb has attracted with a lot of non-compliance issues and almost no regulations.”
Clarence Valley Councilor Deborah Novak, centre, says the new farm rules are going to be an issue for councils.(Supplied: Deborak Novak)
But with the policy now in effect, Ms Novak says there is little hope of the state government backing down for the sake of councils.
“There is no opt-out clause for councils, it’s just a blanket legislation and we just have to suck it up,” she said.
A NSW Department of Planning and Environment spokesperson said it would meet with councils to work through concerns and monitor the policy over the next 12 months.
The future of farming
Rose Wright has spent her life lobbying for farmers and welcomes planning regulations that favor farmers after long being restricted by red tape.
“It’s easier to build a mixed-use, multi-storey building in Sydney than for a small lavender farm to have a farm shop. It is ridiculous,” she said.
According to Ms Wright, outdated planning laws did not reflect today’s economy and agritourism offered a way for farming to remain viable.
“If farmers can’t innovate and diversify then we are creating a scenario that will drive farmers away because they can’t make enough money to keep the land in the farming system,” she said.
Ms Wright said certain restrictions were still included in the new agritourism policy.
“You still need to apply for a DA once you get to a certain size and scale and you have to tie [the agritourism business] to the actual farming activity,” she said.
Steve Tilse has diversified his orchard for creek-side weddings and camping.(Supplied: Steve Tilse)
Keeping farms in farming hands
Hunter Valley fruit orchardist Steve Tilse has embraced agritourism.
In addition to growing apples, he makes apple cider and has adapted his orchard to become a wedding venue with a small campground.
With a great apple season, he says tourism is booming.
“We basically share our property with the public, that’s what makes it so good,” Mr Tilse said.
“People don’t have to buy [a farm] — they can enjoy ours.
“We run a nice campground with only 10 sites, we don’t want too many people because that spoils it.”
Bega Valley dairy farmer Norm Pearce also welcomes the policy change.
Norm Pearce milks his herd at a modern dairy but this old dairy is being transformed as a tourist attraction.(Supplied: Hipcamp)
He has made camping a key component of his business and offers farm tours and weddings
The fourth-generation farmer hit on the idea of ​​diversifying as he cleaned up the farm for his daughter’s wedding.
“We thought it would be a great camping site [once it was] mowed and cleaned up,” Mr Pearce said.
“[Guests] have their own privacy and they are not jammed in with others in a caravan park.
“They are always lovely people and they come to learn something from the rural community.”
Norm Pearce milks cows but also shows tourists around his dairy and plans weddings.(Supplied: Hipcamp)
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