Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke put out a call to action last week to local farmers that was heard with the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code 2018 Amendment Order 2025 now receiving a deadline extension for consultation.
Ms Cooke said she had been calling on the NSW Government for months to undertake genuine consultation with landholders and producers on matters that threaten the viability of the agricultural industry in NSW, especially relating to land management and native vegetation.
"The portal only opened on 6 June 2025, giving NSW residents just four weeks to read, understand and respond to an extensive list of proposed policy changes that will add red tape to simple land management activities, making it harder for farmers to farm," Ms Cooke said.
"If you haven't heard about this, you're not alone, as this consultation process was not properly advertised!
"Not by the Minister for Agriculture nor by her department, either online or through relevant media channels.
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"Simply put, the Minister did not think it is important to engage with the same exact people she was appointed to represent."
Ms Cooke said she has seen firsthand the financial and mental anguish similar decision making and poor consultation has caused for farmers.
"I cannot in good conscience stay silent as this Government attempts to ram through legislation that risks the livelihood of any hard working family, no matter their postcode," Ms Cooke said.
Ms Cooke wrote to the Minister to request an immediate extension and called on local farmers to do the same.
The very next day it was announced the deadline extension was granted.
"The NSW Government has conceded that the consultation process and period has been sorely lacking and we now have until 11.59pm, Friday 1 August 2025 to put in submissions," Ms Cooke said.
"As we see all too often - and increasingly so - the so called 'have your say' process so far has been abysmal - rushed, poorly advertised, and failing to properly engage those most impacted.
"This is a win we can be confident relates to the momentum we've built in the past few days."
Ms Cooke warned, however, that though the extension has been granted, it is now up to locals to take part in the consultation process.
"This is your chance to formally voice your concerns about changes that will directly impact how you manage your land, your farming business, your future and that of our communities," she said.
The Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code regulates native vegetation management on private rural land in NSW and sets out the types of management and clearing activities allowed and how these are to be conducted.
The Code is part of the Land Management Framework and supports landholders to manage their land using productive farming methods and systems, while responding to environmental risks.
The amendments aim to improve environmental outcomes in key parts of the Code.
This includes strengthening prescriptions for invasive native species management and mosaic thinning, and ensuring vegetation set aside areas, that are required under parts of the Code, are larger than the area to be cleared.
In 2024, the NSW Government released the NSW Plan for Nature, its response to the statutory reviews of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the native vegetation provisions of the Local Land Services Act 2013.
The NSW Government committed to amending the Code as part of the NSW Plan for Nature and implementing all 13 recommendations from the Local Land Services Act statutory review, with two variations.
"Now we need to make every submission count," Ms Cooke said.
Ms Cooke is still urging anyone with concerns to email consultation@lls.nsw.gov.au and to visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/land-management-code-amendments to read through the proposed changes and make a submission.
"We can't afford to sit this one out, we need to make sure our voice is heard," Ms Cooke said.
"I am also crafting a submission, and if there are points you believe I should be making - no matter where you live in rural NSW - please let me know.
"I would love to read your submissions."
To read the discussion paper and provide feedback on the proposed amendments, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/land-management-code-amendments
Submissions will close on Friday 1 August.
Submissions will inform the final changes to the code.
Ms Cooke can be contacted via email at cootamundra@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
