CHANGES to the way land can be used in Lake Macquarie will open the door to agritourism opportunities for farmers as they recover from natural disasters and COVID-19.
Think cellar doors, tastings, farm tours and field days - as Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC) votes to permit new land uses in line with a suite of NSW Department of Planning and Environment reforms designed to improve resilience and economic opportunities.
While the area might not be known for primary production, there are a surprising number of people employed across the sector, LMCC integrated planning manager Wes Hain said.
"I'd say it's predominantly hobby farms, but we do have some data about the number of jobs and the economic output coming from the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries," he said.
"So for Lake Macquarie, there's about 237 people employed in those industries and that generates about $100 million of economic output each year. Most of our 'rural' or primary production is in the south-west near Cooranbong and Freeman's Waterhole."
It's part of a bigger plan with reforms aimed at improving resilience and economic opportunities for farmers and landowners.
The idea is to give them additional sources of income to better recover from natural disasters, as well as providing an opportunity for sustainable tourism outlined in regional plans.
Farm gate premises will be able to provide visitors with agricultural products from the region, while farm experience premises will host things like horse riding, farm tours and field days.
Mr Hain said the approval process was previously a bit unclear.
"These changes have put out for councils to adopt will make it more streamlined and clearer on what's able to be approved," he said.
"More broadly across the state there's a move towards looking to supplement income through the classic cellar door set up at a winery - but even roadside stalls selling produce direct to customers and businesses that might look to provide that experience."
The changes are expected to be implemented by mid-2022.
