Imagine waking up one morning to find an industrial-scale blueberry farm sprouting up in your once-idyllic valley, transforming the landscape and disrupting your peaceful lifestyle. This is the harsh reality for many residents in New South Wales’ mid-north coast, where the rapid expansion of the berry industry is sparking fierce debates and raising serious concerns. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the industry booms, allegations of worker exploitation, environmental degradation, and regulatory loopholes are casting a shadow over its success. And this is the part most people miss—the delicate balance between economic growth and community well-being is hanging by a thread.
Cate Faehrmann, a Greens member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, is taking a stand. Next week, she’ll introduce a private member’s bill aimed at giving local councils more power to regulate blueberry and other berry farms. These farms, sprawling across the region, have led to growing tensions with neighboring landholders, who feel their voices are being drowned out by the industry’s unchecked growth. Faehrmann’s bill isn’t just about land use—it’s a call to address the environmental toll of intensive farming, from pesticide runoff to the loss of natural habitats.
But here’s the kicker: the berry industry has long been exempt from strict planning laws, a loophole Faehrmann calls ‘unfathomable.’ She argues that while residents need permits for something as simple as a carport, berry farmers can erect hectares of poles and netting without council approval. Her bill proposes mandated buffer zones between farms and homes or waterways, stricter controls on spraying and irrigation, and increased monitoring for pesticide use. These measures, she says, are essential to protect both the environment and the community’s way of life.
Meanwhile, the state Labor government is considering an inquiry into alleged worker abuse in the region. Unlike most states, NSW does not regulate labor hire companies, which act as middlemen between farmers and seasonal workers. Reports of underpayment, poor living conditions, and exploitation—particularly of workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme—have surfaced, prompting calls for urgent reform. Is this the price of cheap berries? It’s a question that demands a hard look at the industry’s practices.
The battle isn’t just legislative—it’s playing out in courtrooms and communities. Last week, the Coffs Harbour council lost a case against two raspberry farmers who challenged a stop-work order. The council argued that the farmers’ polytunnels—large structures made of metal tubing and hoops—required development approval under local planning laws. The farmers countered that their operations fell under ‘intensive horticulture,’ which is exempt from such rules. The court sided with the farmers, stating that the tunnels, being temporary, weren’t subject to approval. This ruling highlights a glaring gap in regulations—one that Faehrmann’s bill aims to close.
On the ground, the impact is deeply personal. In Scotts Head, locals like photographer Zahn Pithers are sounding the alarm. ‘It’s devastating when blueberry farms arrive,’ he says. ‘They devalue the land, drive out long-time farming families, and threaten our waterways.’ Pithers points to a massive blueberry farm near Warrell Creek and South Beach National Park, questioning the safety of pesticide drift and runoff. Despite his pleas, the EPA has yet to take decisive action, leaving residents in limbo.
Councils are fighting back, but it’s an uphill battle. In November 2024, the Nambucca Valley council asked the NSW planning department to require blueberry farms to seek development approval. The request was denied for lack of evidence. Now, the council is drafting a second proposal, grappling with whether to mandate buffer zones or leave it to self-regulation. Is self-regulation enough, or does the industry need stricter oversight? The debate is far from over.
State Planning Minister Paul Scully insists that councils can seek changes to their local planning laws, but he warns against a one-size-fits-all approach. ‘Mandatory development applications across all rural zones could stifle modern farming practices,’ he says. Yet, for many residents, the current system feels rigged in favor of big agriculture, leaving communities and the environment at risk.
So, here’s the question: Can NSW strike a balance between supporting its booming berry industry and protecting its people and planet? Or is this a zero-sum game? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep this conversation going.
