The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is calling for feedback on proposed changes to the planning system which would make it easier for farmers to open their gates to visitors and diversify their businesses.
Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes said the proposed changes would make it easier for farmers across NSW to start, run and grow an agritourism business, such as farm stays, cafes, restaurants, retreats, roadside stalls and small wedding reception venues.
Minister for Finance and Small Business, Damien Tudehope said the proposed changes built on work by the NSW Small Business Commissioner and Service NSW to help farmers diversify through an Agritourism pilot program, part of the Commission’s Making Business Easier initiative.
“Over the past two years, 35 primary producers from the Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Wollondilly Shire Council and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council local Government areas took part in the pilot,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Today is an exciting next step for the NSW Government on agritourism to help create significant opportunities for many more primary producers in all corners of the State,” he said.
Mr Tudehope said that so far, 16 of the Agritourism pilot participants had started farm tourism businesses.
DPIE said people could have a say on the proposed planning changes until 16 April.
The Department’s 35-page Explanation of Intended Effect Agritourism and small-scale agriculture development, including information on how to have a say, can be accessed at this PS News link.
