Agritourism planning changes

What is changing?

We have introduced clear planning terms for agritourism. This will make it easier for farmers to know how they can use their land for new income streams.

The new and amended terms include:

• farm gate premises – where visitors interact with produce from the farm, such as through fruit picking, sales, tastings, workshops and cafés
• farm experience premises – where visitors can experience life on a farm, including tours, horse riding, weddings, functions and retreats
• farm stay accommodation – including camping, caravanning and glamping.

Other changes

• New planning pathways will allow these activities to happen with either fast-track (complying development) or no planning approval (exempt development) with development standards that will minimise impacts on neighbours, rural roads and the community. If an activity doesn’t meet the standards for exempt or complying development, speak to your local council about lodging a development application.
• Landowners will be able to rebuild farm buildings destroyed by natural disasters without planning approval to help future proof their farms.
• An increase in the distance between homes and poultry and pig farms will protect the industry from biosecurity threats.
• Minor change to increase the distance between homes and poultry and pig farms to protect the industry from biosecurity threats.

The department is currently working with councils to determine the zones that are appropriate for the new agritourism land uses in their local areas.

The changes commenced on 1 December 2022.

Future changes

The department is working with councils to determine the zones that are appropriate for the new agritourism land uses in their local areas.