11 August 2026
NSW Farmers says a new Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Landholder Guide does not provide the practical advice needed to navigate federal environmental reforms.
“The guide is not a helpful tool for landholders and does not provide straightforward advice that gives farmers confidence to manage their land while protecting the environment,” said NSW Farmers Conservation & Resource Management committee chair Bronwyn Petrie.
“This guide needs refining with greater clarity for farmers. Farmers need clear guidance on what activities require approval and what activities can continue as part of normal farm management.”
The guide is supposed to help farmers comply with the Act, including recent Australian Government reforms that mean that ‘continuous use of the land’ may no longer provide an exemption to compliance.
Ms Petrie said routine activities including weed and pest control, maintaining existing infrastructure, fencing, fire management and managing vegetation should not become unnecessarily complicated by additional federal processes.
“Uncertainty creates delays, increases costs and discourages investment at a time when farmers are already facing significant pressures from rising input costs, extreme weather and workforce shortages.”
“Good environmental outcomes depend on farmers being active managers of the landscape, not being tied up in complex approval systems.”
“Farmers are committed to protecting Australia’s unique biodiversity, but they also need a regulatory framework that supports productive agriculture and investment in regional Australia.”
NSW Farmers said a well-designed EPBC act guide should improve environmental outcomes by giving producers greater certainty and reducing the risk of unnecessary compliance issues.
“It allows farmers to make informed decisions, invest with confidence and continue managing their land sustainably without unnecessary delays or confusion.”
Ms Petrie said a revised guide must be supported by practical implementation and ongoing engagement with farmers.
“A guide alone won’t solve the challenges farmers face if the underlying processes remain complex, slow or inconsistent.”
“We need a system that recognises routine agricultural activities, provides timely advice and gives landholders confidence that they’re meeting their obligations.”
