The Kiama Greens are holding a Town Hall-style discussion in Berry this week, focusing on the impact of the State Government’s recent agritourism reforms (Agritourism brings more opportunities than expected).

Their endorsed candidate for Kiama in the March State election, Professor Tonia Gray, will be joined on the panel by local resident and internationally recognised paediatrician and environmental activist Dr Helen Caldicott, and Greens NSW MLC, farmer and environmental lawyer Sue Higginson.

 The extensive agritourism reforms permit a number of activities on farms (as recognised by local councils or the ATO) as complying developments, meaning councils have much less of a say. The reforms came into force in the rest of NSW in December, but will not apply in the Kiama LGA until February.

Prof Gray fears the changes will result in a dramatic change in rural land use and threaten food production in the area.

 She asks the question, “Is the future of that high quality agricultural land to be continued farming or out of control agritourism and function centres?”

The public meeting has been organised as part of the campaign to raise awareness of the overreach of the new legislation and its likely impact.

Thursday 12 January, Berry CWA Hall, 5.30pm (although a larger venue may be necessary given initial interest)

RSVP essential. Register here.