NSW Farmers has long supported policy to strengthen landholders ‘right to farm’, and since 2014 has lobbied for such protections to be embedded into legislation.
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‘Right to farm’ policy aims to limit the ability of neighbouring landholders to seek action against disturbances produced through routine agricultural practices.
If legislated, this would protect farmers from nuisance complaints when undertaking activities that are simply part of running a productive farm.
It is not uncommon for families and individuals, unfamiliar with the realities of rural life, to find unexpected disturbances when they relocate to the countryside - excess dust, adverse smells, and noise from machinery and livestock are a feature of farming life in many areas.
In 2015 the NSW Government announced a right to farm policy in response to these land-use conflict matters.
However, this work has predominately involved gathering data from local councils about the nature of complaints. We don’t need more surveys and studies. What we need is legislative change to recognise the ongoing, lawful, activities of farmers and protect them and their enterprise from unfair conflict.
Although the State Government has so far failed to provide adequate right to farm protections, it’s been pleasing to see some local councils taking action.
The Kyogle and Byron Bay councils have implemented forms of right to farm policy. An excerpt from the Byron Bay council pamphlet on the matter reads: “Local councils will generally not support any action to interfere with the legitimate agricultural use of rural land, where such activities are carried out in accordance with industry standards, relevant regulations and approvals.”
Although both councils have produced successful policy in this area, this issue deserves a standardised, state level response and NSW Farmers will continue to lobby for legislation.
- NSW Farmers CEO Matt Brand
