Issue 1: Long term availability of agricultural land
Land uses change over time, responding to population growth, lifestyle preferences and economic factors. Agriculture competes for land across the rural landscape and often finds itself under pressure from urban encroachment and land fragmentation. Agriculture plays an important role in regional economic stability and growth, and food and fibre supply to our cities. With a burgeoning global population, increasing protein values, and global connectivity, NSW also has an opportunity to maximise economic potential for our regions through maintaining stock of the most productive agricultural land.
An agricultural land use planning strategy could include a policy on how good agricultural land should be defined and planned for. This policy could be implemented in different ways ranging from guidelines for local council planners to statutory rules that make decision makers consider agriculture when developing this land.
The Commissioner is seeking your feedback on how to define the best agricultural land and whether a map should be used to identify this land. Your feedback is also sought on whether the policy should be a guideline, a mandated state-wide policy or an opt-in policy for councils.
Have Your Say
To view the options see chapter 1 of the options paper (PDF, 526 KB).
Once you understand the options you can provide your feedback by completing this survey or making a submission to agcommissioner@dpi.nsw.gov.au
