The Department of Planning and Environment have released a new guide to help NSW farmers set up agritourism businesses on their land.

'Setting up an agritourism business' explains what planning approvals are needed and how landowners can meet the requirements. It also includes practical advice on issues such as location and design.

The release of the guide follows an amending State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) made on 18 August 2023 that updated local environmental plans to expand the use of agritourism across NSW.

The changes mean agritourism (which includes farm experience premises and farm gate premises) is now permitted with consent in all RU1 Primary Production, RU2 Rural Landscape and RU4 Primary Production Small Lots zones in local environmental plans (LEPs) and in other zones councils have nominated.

The amending SEPP has also removed the 100 visitors limit to farm gate premises for pick-your-own produce under exempt and complying development. Farmers now have greater flexibility to invite more visitors to pick and buy their produce