At a high-level, reforms must be workable and proportionate to the realities of the farm sector. This includes not only ensuring appropriate recognition of the sector but also providing clarity in decision-making as it relates to key concepts like ‘Significant Impact’ and improved and clear guidance as to how routine farm activities interact with the broader requirements of the Act.
With respect to this consultation, there is a need to ensure appropriate safeguards for agricultural land-use are established within Bioregional Planning and that agriculture is afforded genuine opportunities to benefit from the revised regulatory pathways. Equally important is the need to ensure timely progress on bilateral agreements and greater clarity regarding the scope of what is intended for accreditation. Finally, the Commonwealth must recognise equivalent environmental outcomes delivered through existing State and Territory frameworks including offset arrangements to avoid unnecessary duplication and regulatory burden.
Read NFF’s full submission here.