A range of everyday farming pursuits will have to deal with council red tape if the draft primary production and rural development policy is implemented.
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The state government’s plan, while not affecting most boutique farmers, will affect everything from moderately sized operations up to the large-scale farms.
It focuses on how many animals a farmer can accommodate rather than the number of stock that are actually on the property.
For example, an egg producer who can accommodate 1000 or more birds will have to apply for development consent – whether the birds are housed inside or allowed to roam within the property boundary.
Farmers with a feedlot that has the capacity to house a herd of 50 or more – which is considered a small operation – would also need consent.
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Anyone running a dairy with 50 or more cows – which is a tiny operation – would also need to apply and be granted approval.
The list of pursuits also includes pigs, sheep and goats.
NSW Farmers Association Hunter Region manager David Banham said he was discussing the changes with farmers in the lead up to a public forum about the policy on December 4 between 9.30am and 12 noon at Wine Country Motor Inn.
“We’ve got long standing policies about the right to farm and we want to make sure that the planning laws do not interfere with that,” he said.
“We’d like any changes to be reasonably flexible so they allow farmers to keep doing what they’re doing and allow them to earn a living from the land.”
Councils would have to assess each application against a string of criteria that includes the odour impact on neighbours, the potential for water pollution and soil degradation, the suitability of the site and the proposed measures to prevent any negative impacts.
Poultry meat producers with the ability to accommodate 1000 birds, or more, would also have to apply for development consent if their birds were housed indoors or outdoors.
Those running a sheep or goat feedlot with the capacity to accommodate 200 or more animals will also need the council to sign on the dotted line.
Pig farmers have also been roped into the policy with those who can accommodate 200 or more pigs, or 20 or more breeding sows, also required to apply. Intensive livestock farms within 500 metres of a neighbour, will also have to obtain consent.
Submissions must be made before December 18.
Belinda-Jane Davis
Passionate about community news
Passionate about community news
