Safeguarding Pick-Your-Own Farmers

Farmers across Hawkesbury will benefit from the final Agritourism Policy which will protect and safeguard the local Pick-Your-Own-Fruit businesses and make it easier for other farmers to set up agritourism opportunities.

Member for Hawkesbury, Robyn Preston MP said the NSW Government had released its final agritourism policy aimed at helping businesses thrive.

“Hawkesbury fruit farmers have driven these changes and I want to extend my appreciation to Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts who has met with Hawkesbury farmers and myself on several occasions to understand the issues and to address them,” Ms Preston said.

“This policy will make it easier for our farmers to set up, run and grow agritourism experiences on their properties, such as farm stays, cafes, cellar doors, retreats, roadside stalls, fruit picking and small wedding venues.”

“It will help bring more tourists to our region and provide endless avenues for primary producers to drive productivity and cash flow on their doorstep.”

Owner and operator of Bilpin Fruit Bowl, Margaret Tadrosse said that she was happy to hear the action that the NSW Government had taken after advocating for the farmers in Hawkesbury.

“Thank you to the Department for listening to our concerns, taking on board our issues and supporting our recommendations,” Mrs Tadrosse said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the new policy would be cheaper and easier for farmers to diversify their income and support the thriving agritourism sector.

“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 that we provide a clear and simple pathway through the planning system,” Mr Toole said.

“We have introduced clear definitions and new planning pathways to allow agritourism activities to happen with either faster or no planning approval, if they meet requirements set out in the policy.”

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.

“Our primary producers have shown resilience time and time again over the last few years, battling through drought, bushfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic and we want to support them however we can,” Mr Roberts said.

“These reforms will help landowners build up their resilience and recover faster from the pandemic and natural disasters by providing another source of income.”

The new policy will commence on 1 December 2022.

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

• Topics:

• Agriculture / Farming
• Tourism