3.
Strategic and Legislative Context
This section provides an overview of State and local strategies, plans,
outlined above. It is also noted the NCRP 2036 is in the early stages of
policies and other legislation that is relevant to rural land in the
a review that is expected to culminate in a new Regional Plan in mid-
Clarence Valley. It should be recognised that there is a significant
2022.
number of documents that are relevant across a wide range of industries, activities and uses. Those captured in this section are the
Right to Farm Act 2019 & Right to Farm Policy
prominent to the overall Strategy process, whilst a range of more
The NSW Right to Farm Policy was introduced in 2015, with the Right to
detailed documents that have informed this Report are also identified
Farm Act introduced in August 2019 and provides for matters relating
in Appendix C.
to farm trespass and the right of commercial enterprises. The Act
3.1
State planning
North Coast Regional Plan 2036
allows farmers to carry out their lawful business activities, shielding them from nuisance complaints, claims and legal action from their neighbours and other third parties. The Right to Farm Policy that
The NCRP 2036 directs councils to protect and enhance productive
accompanies the Act provides a series of principles and actions on a
agricultural lands, grow agribusiness across the region and
state-wide approach to deal with the issue of ‘right to farm’.
sustainably manage natural resources. Relevant directions include:
It is noted that the NSW Agricultural Commissioner has undertaken a
Direction 6: Develop successful centres of employment,
review of the Right to Farm Policy, that was released in December
including for food production and agribusiness
2020. The recommendations of this review, and subsequent
o
Direction 8: Promote the growth of tourism
documents that have since been released (see below for example), are
o
Direction 11: Protect and enhance productive agricultural
considered herein and further within the development of the Rural
lands
Lands Strategy.
o
o
Direction 12: Grow agribusiness across the region
o
Direction 13: Sustainably manage natural resources
How and when these directions are relevant are further explored in the relevant parts of the Report. The development of the Rural Lands Strategy is part of a suite of strategies that form Clarence Valley’s Local Growth Management
Agricultural Commissioner’s Land Use Planning Reports As mentioned above, the NSW Agricultural Commissioner has reviewed and developed recent paper and reports associated with the future of agricultural within the context of the land use planning system.
Strategy. This Strategy then responds to the NCRP 2036 directions
Clarence Valley Council Rural Lands Strategy – Background Paper
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