The NSW Government is making it easier for landowners to run agritourism businesses on their farms, such as farm stays, camping, roadside stalls, cellar doors, restaurants or cafes and events, under simplified planning rules.
The new rules allow tourism activities to happen with either fast-track or no planning approval, with some limitations to minimise impacts on neighbours, rural roads and the community.
These reforms will help landowners build their resilience and recover faster from the pandemic and natural disasters, by providing another source of income and encouraging the next generation to farm the land.
The reforms introduce 3 clear planning definitions for agritourism:
- Farm gate premises – where visitors interact with produce from the farm, such as fruit picking, sales, tastings, workshops and cafes.
- Farm experience premises – where visitors can experience life on a farm including tours, horse riding, weddings, functions and retreats.
- Farm stay accommodation – including camping.
Other changes to planning rules include:
- New planning pathways will allow these activities to happen with either fast-track () or no planning approval () with development standards that will minimise impacts on neighbours, rural roads and the community.
- Landowners will be able to rebuild farm buildings destroyed by natural disasters without planning approval to help future proof their farms.
- Minor change to increase the distance between homes and poultry and pig farms to protect the industry from biosecurity threats.
- Minor changes to contain livestock during natural disasters to minimise impacts on the environment and waterways.
The changes will commence on 1 December 2022.
You can read more information on the below information sheet.
