An online tool has been launched to help New South Wales farmers navigate the often-complex planning laws when applying for development approvals to build key on-farm infrastructure
The New South Wales government has launched an online tool called myFarmPlanner, providing farmers with all the information needed to lodge a development application in as little as 15 minutes, using a tailored questionnaire and interactive map.
The app brings together information from all approval organisations including local councils, consenting authorities and industry guidelines.
It provides clear information about approval pathways and consent authorities, required licences, permits and approvals, details relevant legislation regulations and guidelines and provides location-specific constraints including flood zones, bushfire areas and sensitive receptors.
Under normal circumstances, the state government says it can take up to 12 months for a farmer to gather all the required DA information needed to build farm buildings, animal housing, processing facilities and other infrastructure particularly after a flood, bushfire or a storm.
By entering farm data individually, producers using the tool can also save money, with the self-service capabilities estimated to eliminate up to $2,000 in consultant fees per application.
“It will be a very useful tool for the dairy industry as a lot of farmers are land locked, and this will be further intensified by building barns and feedpads,” NSW dairy farmer Terry Toohey says.
“The tool will enable farmers to look at their expansion options on their farm and whether the land can accommodate their expansion plans.”
The new tool replaces a 2021 beta version, which was targeted at the poultry industry, and is now expanded to cover dairy, horticulture, poultry and agritourism.
Future updates of the myFarmPlanner platform will aim to include additional agriculture sectors.
To access the tool, visit myfarmplanner.dpi.nsw.gov.au.