Aquaculture producers across the Mid North Coast, including hundreds of leaseholders in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region, are set to benefit from proposed NSW Government reforms doubling lease terms from 15 to 30 years.
The changes to the Fisheries Management Act 1994 would affect 256 aquaculture leases in the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area, along with 620 in Mid-Coast, 82 in Kempsey, 42 in Nambucca and 19 in Bellingen.
The NSW Government says longer leases will provide greater certainty for oyster farmers and other aquaculture businesses looking to secure finance, upgrade infrastructure and expand their operations.
Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said the reforms were designed to encourage regional investment and employment.
“These reforms are about backing our aquaculture industry to grow, invest and create jobs in regional NSW.” said Moriarty.
“Doubling lease terms gives businesses the certainty they need to plan for the future and invest in modern, sustainable operations.
“The former National and Liberal Government brushed this problem for the oyster industry to the side, but our Government is stepping forward to make this happen and I call upon the Coalition to back the Bill.
“It’s imperative that we move quickly to deliver this significant improvement for the industry.”
The government says existing 15-year leases have made it more difficult for some operators to access finance, limiting opportunities to expand or improve their businesses.
The proposed 30-year terms would better align leases with the lifespan of modern aquaculture infrastructure and support a target to double the NSW industry’s farm gate value to $300 million by 2030.
The legislation would also introduce tougher penalties for the theft of aquaculture stock and infrastructure, with maximum penalties increasing to $22,000 for an individual for a first offence and $44,000 for repeat offenders.
“At the same time, the Bill will deliver stronger penalties to protect hardworking farming families and businesses by targeting those who steal stock or damage infrastructure,” Moriarty said.
“These proposed changes are another example of the Minns Government’s commitment to building a sustainable aquaculture sector, following the investment of $27 million from the Regional Development Trust into 31 seafood projects.
“We’re building a more stable, competitive aquaculture sector that can continue to thrive and deliver both for regional economies, and food for Australian tables.”
Across NSW, the proposed changes would affect 235 oyster aquaculture businesses operating 2,421 leases across 18 local government areas.
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