NSW Greens will move a private member’s bill in the New South Wales Parliament to boost local council powers in overseeing NSW berry regulation as the berry sector continues its rapid expansion along the mid-north coast. The move, led by Greens member Cate Faehrmann, is pitched as a way to strengthen local oversight and safeguards around farming practices as blueberry and other berry operations spread across the region. While supporters say the bill would give councils more tools to manage siting, land use and environmental impact, opponents warn that too much red tape could slow modern farming methods that communities say they want. The government has signalled concerns about over-regulation potentially hampering innovation and the pace of agricultural development. Separately, the Labor government is considering an inquiry into alleged worker abuse in the region, adding another layer to debates about how NSW should regulate labour and employment in seasonal farming.
What we know
- The Greens plan to introduce a private member’s bill aimed at expanding councils’ regulatory powers over berry farms, including blueberry operations, in the mid-north coast corridor.
- The focus is on enabling local planning and environmental oversight as the berry sector grows more prominent in the region and more land is converted to productive farming.
- Residents and local authorities have voiced concerns about environmental impacts and potential effects on neighbouring land values as farms scale up.
- The government has cautioned that an overly prescriptive regime could slow down modern farming practices and complicate supply chains.
- A separate inquiry into labour practices in the region is being considered by the Labor government, highlighting ongoing debate over worker protections and the role of labour hire intermediaries in NSW agriculture.
The issue sits at the intersection of local planning, environmental stewardship and how NSW regulates an industry that has seen rapid spatial and economic growth. Proponents of greater local authority say councils are closest to the ground when it comes to managing land use conflicts, water management and biodiversity safeguards. Critics, however, argue that too many rules may hinder efficiency and innovation in a sector that supporters argue is vital for regional employment and economic activity. This tension is reinforced by discussions around labour standards in seasonal work, an area where NSW differs from several other states that have introduced more robust labour hire frameworks.
What we don’t know
- Whether the private member’s bill will pass the parliament in its current form, and what amendments might be added to balance local powers with state-wide policy goals.
- The exact scope of council powers proposed, including which processes would be devolved, what environmental safeguards would be required, and how penalties would be applied.
- How the regulatory framework would interact with existing state planning rules and agriculture policies, and what transition arrangements would apply for existing farms.
- The potential economic impact on berry growers, including costs associated with compliance, landscape change approvals and any ripple effects on regional employment.
- Details around the Labor inquiry into worker treatment, its timeline and whether it would lead to a formal NSW inquiry or legislative reforms in the agribusiness sector.
As the debate unfolds, observers will watch closely how councils, growers and the state government balance environmental and community concerns with a sector that remains a key driver of regional growth. The coming weeks will reveal whether the proposed bill gains cross-party support and how any new regulatory framework would be designed to foster sustainable farming while protecting neighbours and natural resources.
