7. Key recommendation areas

Based on the project drivers and strategic principles outlined in the previous two sections, and in addressing the key issues identified in Part 3 of this Background Paper, the following six recommendation areas for future actions have been identified.

7.1 Facilitate effective land use planning for rural areas

This includes opportunities to review and refine the use of zones, seeking to meet both the desired outcome of retaining high quality agricultural land, whilst also enabling flexibility in other areas where these uses can meet other needs. This review would be timely considering Council’s existing zones and applicable land uses has not been thoroughly revised in the past decade. This direction can also be backed by improvements to Council’s own policies, creating greater consistency and a clearer pathway for rural land use planning into the future.

On the conservation zone side, this action area would also recognise opportunities to better incorporate land of significant or important environmental value into an appropriate zone. This could include lands that are reserved in perpetuity for conservation, as well as high value biodiversity areas where retention can be important for environmental reasons.

This area also seeks to review existing land use planning controls to better recognise and define assessment considerations that can facilitate long-term improvements to dealing with land use conflicts. This can include clearer application of buffers and the articulation of Council’s approach to applying these – for example the agent of change approach as recommended by the NSW Agricultural Commissioner.

It also seeks to identify and recognise the need for some planning flexibility to ensure that agricultural activities can remain viable, particularly on Far North Coast Farmland Mapping areas, such as review of subdivision controls that do not create additional dwelling entitlements.

To support LEP provisions, there may be a need to review the DCP to support the intended outcomes. This may again support greater use and clarity around the use of buffers to agricultural activities based on current DPI best practice – noting that the NSW Agricultural Commissioner has also identified the need for review in this area.

Review of buffers for environmental protection and hazard purposes are also recognised for protection of biodiversity and to facilitate environmental outcomes.

7.2 Elevate the importance of rural lands within Council and the community

Central to many recommendations and actions in the Strategy will be the resourcing capability that Council has internally. Establishing a ‘sustainable agricultural officer’ or similar position is recommended, potentially funded by the State or Federal government. This position can leverage the delivery of collaborative working opportunities across a range of industry, government and not-for-profit organisations.

This can facilitate implementation of existing policies/strategies – such as Council’s Climate Change Policy, Biodiversity Strategy, and Regional Economic Development Strategy, but also new initiatives of the Rural Lands Strategy – such as Emerging Industry Strategies.

The role would also focus on training, education and collaboration opportunities, including as existing (e.g. biosecurity) and new (e.g. regenerative agriculture and carbon farming), all with a focus on reinforcing positive environmental, economic and agricultural outcomes.

With a positive mindset to agriculture, food and lifestyle aspects of the Clarence Valley, there are opportunities to engage the broader community and visitors on the importance of rural land activities.

This can help to co-ordinate promotion of rural land opportunities in positive and engaging ways, including through a range of programs to:

o improve public understanding and acknowledgement of agricultural practices o create links between rural activities and visitors to the region o promote local agriculture through farmers markets and other activities that directly connect producers to the public.

7.3 Engage with government and industry to leverage support

Recognising that rural and agricultural activities are rarely LGA based, there is a strong need to engage and leverage opportunities with government and industry. This would help to drive the establishment of a range of programs, training and education opportunities to be funded by agency, industry, Council and others as a basis for providing collaboration across rural lands.

Engagement with Aboriginal land holders, as well as RFS, NPWS, Crown Lands and Forestry will be important to address the interface between public and private land and to obtain desired outcomes for Aboriginal communities. Similarly, engagement with DPI, LLS, NRAR and DPIE Water will be important to ensure equitable access to water and to manage longer-term trends towards intensive agriculture.

There is also a number of reforms that are being proposed. Monitoring these and maintaining consistency with ultimate directions of the NSW Agricultural Commissioners recommendations will be an important consideration.

More broadly, this area also looks to lobby government to prohibit mining or exploratory licences, as well as reviewing and allocating additional funding for floodplain infrastructure improvements.

7.4 Develop supporting infrastructure that enables opportunities

Supporting these initiatives there are improvements to infrastructure that is recommended. Carefully planned, shared infrastructure - for example an ‘agricultural hub’ - has the opportunity to be a focal point to grow agriculture in the Clarence Valley and developed in collaboration with industry or State agencies. Such a facility could act as an incubator to agricultural activities, help reduce the cost of entry or expansion of agricultural production, create a supportive and collaborative network, deliver positive agricultural training and program opportunities, and provide shared access and storage of equipment.

Such a facility could also closely link to food and agri-tourism, providing space for related events, marketplaces and facilities that celebrate localised food production.

Ensuring that transportation and supply networks maintain pace with needs is also critical. This may include supply chain and road network requirements of emerging industries, as well as to facilitate expansion of existing industries over the 20 year life of the Strategy.