NSW agriculture commissioner Alison Stone.

NEW South Wales has appointed senior public sector executive Alison Stone as its first independent statutory agricultural commissioner and the state’s farmers stand ready to engage her with a list of concerns.

NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the Minns Government has delivered a key election commitment by ensuring farmers and the agricultural sector has a dedicated and independent agriculture commissioner to advise her and the government on best options for matters such as land planning in regional NSW.

“Ms Stone’s extensive career across both the public and private sectors has made her a respected leader in agriculture and the government is endorsing her for this role because she has a proven track record of resolving complex and contentious issues in areas such as land management reform.

“With 25 years of hands-on experience as a livestock farmer, she also understands the realities of rural life and the challenges faced by our farming communities,” Ms Moriarty said.

“The appointment of a statutory agricultural commissioner marks an exciting new chapter for agriculture in NSW, and I look forward to working alongside Ms Stone to champion our farmers, protect valuable agricultural land, and build a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector.

Appointment is a solid step – NSW Farmers

NSW Farmers today welcomed Ms Stone’s three-year appointment as farmers face mounting challenges around land use and productivity.

“The appointment of Ms Stone as the state’s agriculture commissioner is a solid step towards a fairer future for our farmers, as they battle threats to their right to farm on all fronts,” NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin said.

“Water is being taken away from farms, farms are being taken away for renewable energy developments and there is increasing pressure to lock up other land thanks to native vegetation maps – putting farmers under the pump like never before.

“Independent advice and solutions to solve these land use conflicts would go a long way to forging a future that ensures our farmers can keep farming, so Australia can continue to feed and clothe the world,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Martin said there was no shortage of challenges for the state’s new agriculture commissioner to address promptly within her role.

“The breadth and complexity of challenges within agriculture is significant, and it is essential governments have the advice and solutions they need to not only understand these challenges, but overcome them

“As Ms Stone steps into the role, we hope to be able to engage with her directly to solve challenges, strengthen food security and boost agricultural productivity in NSW, now and beyond,” he said.

The Minns Government said Ms Stone’s duties will include:

Assisting the NSW Government in developing an ongoing system for defining, identifying, and mapping agricultural lands throughout the state,

Progressing the pilot of a farm practices panel that will look at ways to reduce conflict between agricultural producers and neighbours on a broader scale,

Providing input and advice to address challenges related to critical renewable energy infrastructure to support our energy transition and the impact it can have on landholders,

Promoting a coordinated and collaborative approach across the Commonwealth Government, the NSW Government and local government in relation to agricultural matters, and

Work with the Net Zero Commissioner promoting a cohesive approach to policy making.

Ms Stone said one of her key priorities is helping government to protect and support agricultural land, ensuring productivity remains on the government’s agenda alongside its priorities for renewable energy and housing.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our state, and my role is to collaborate with government, landowners and industry leaders to drive tangible, on-the-ground outcomes and practices to ensure NSW has a strong and prosperous agriculture sector,” she said.

“NSW’s primary industries sector is one of the most diverse in the country, with a wide range of agricultural commodities and farming systems.

“While this presents challenges, it also creates valuable opportunities for growth and innovation.”