MORE farmers across the Mid North Coast may soon be swinging their gates open to visitors, thanks to a new policy that makes it easier to set up agritourism opportunities.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole released the Government’s final agritourism policy aimed at helping diversified farm businesses thrive.

“We’re making it cheaper and easier for our farmers to diversify their income by starting, running and growing agritourism experiences, such as farm stays, cafes, cellar doors, retreats, roadside stalls, fruit picking and small wedding venues,” Mr Toole said.

“Farmers who want to innovate and share a taste of their region with visitors shouldn’t be held back by red tape.

“That’s why we’ve introduced clear definitions and new planning pathways to allow activities that meet the policy to happen with either faster or no planning approval.”

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the finalised policy will support the growing agritourism industry and encourage the next generation to farm the land.

“Agritourism is a growing sector for both the Australian and NSW economies and is expected to be worth $18.6 billion nationally by 2030. It’s important we provide a clear and simple pathway through the planning system,” Mr Roberts said.

“Our farmers have shown resilience time and time again over the last few years, battling through floods, fires, drought and the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want to support them however we can.”

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the policy encourages locals to boost their revenue and future-proof their farms.

“The last few years have been really tough on farmers as they recover from the drought, bushfires, floods and the pandemic.

Reforms like these will help landholders build resilience by providing another source of income,” Mr Saunders said.

“Whether they’re building a small shopfront, hosting events, taking in campers or starting roadside stalls, farmers can choose from a range of opportunities made simpler by this policy change.”

NSW Farmers Conservation and Resource Management Committee chair Louise Burge welcomed the move to enable farmers to establish small scale agritourism activities without the need for a development application process.

“This is more red tape that has been cut, and makes it easier for farmers to start an agritourism operation,” Mrs Burge said.

“We’ve been able to work constructively with the Department of Planning and Environment and Minister Roberts’ office, and Agriculture Minister Saunders’ office as well, to raise our concerns about the proposed changes, including caps on visitors per day and days per year for pick your own operations, and make some sensible changes to support more realistic number caps.”

Mrs Burge said the changes mean farmers who wanted to set up a simple complying operation such as a roadside stall can do so without additional permission or approvals from their local council, while larger operations can still be progressed through a development application pathway.

“We believe it’s important to reconnect people with where their food and fibre comes from, and agritourism is a great way to do this,” Mrs Burge said.

“As well as providing easier opportunities to establish small scale agritourism activities, these changes help to protect and retain agricultural land by keeping primary production as the main business for the property.

“These changes are a positive opportunity to make it easier for farmers to diversify without the need to go through a costly, time-consuming development application process, and we thank the Minister for working with us.”

The new policy will commence on 1 December.

For more information visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/agritourism