The new tool, myFarmPlanner, bolsters the state's $20 billion agriculture sector by demystifying the complex planning process for on-farm infrastructure development.
Through a customised questionnaire and interactive mapping system, farmers can now submit development applications in about 15 minutes.
This comprehensive system amalgamates information from local councils, consenting authorities and industry guidelines.
It offers crucial details about approval pathways, necessary licences, permits and site-specific constraints including flood zones, bushfire areas and sensitive receptors.
In the past, farmers could spend up to 12 months collecting required development application information for farm buildings, animal housing, processing facilities and other infrastructure, particularly after natural disasters.
The self-service features of myFarmPlanner could deliver savings of up to $2000 in consultant fees per application.
The current version builds on a 2021 beta release that was limited to the poultry industry.
The platform now encompasses dairy, horticulture, poultry and agritourism sectors, with future updates planned to include more agricultural industries and Planning Portal integration.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, the tool reflects that farmers across NSW are increasingly using online tools to save money and boost productivity.
“This new tool is the latest in the government's ongoing commitment to ensure farmers have the latest technologies to help producers make practical, cost effective on farm decisions,” she said.
“myFarmPlanner addresses critical barriers to agricultural resilience by simplifying the development application process and providing immediate, location-specific guidance on planning requirements, reducing the need for expensive consultants and enabling faster recovery decisions.”
The platform, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments through the Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program (SFIRP), can be accessed at https://myfarmplanner.dpi.nsw.gov.au.
