Cate Faehrmann, a Greens member of the New South Wales legislative council, will next week introduce a private member’s bill to give councils more power to regulate blueberry and other berry farms on the mid-north coast. These farms have grown rapidly, causing problems with other landowners. Faehrmann said, "People move into these beautiful valleys for the lifestyle and the environment but then wake up one day and within months they are looking at an industrial-scale blueberry farm." She criticized the current rules allowing large farm structures without council approval, saying, "It beggars belief that you can erect hectares of poles [and] white netting without telling your neighbours or getting council approval, but people have to apply to put up a carport." The bill will demand buffer zones between farms and homes or waterways, strict spraying controls, and better monitoring of pesticides. Councils will get stronger powers after the Coffs Harbour council lost a court case about raspberry farm structures, which the court ruled do not need approval because they can be dismantled. Rachel Mackenzie from Berries Australia said last October that development applications are not supported by the government. Local residents, like photographer Zahn Pithers, voice concern about land value and environmental risks near new blueberry farms close to waterways and national parks. Pithers worries about chemical runoff and spray drift near Warrell Creek and South Beach. The EPA found low pesticide levels in nearby creeks, but investigations continue. Nambucca Valley council requested planning rules to force blueberry farms to get development approval, but this was rejected for lack of evidence. Councils can still apply rules in certain zones, but state planning minister Paul Scully says too many restrictions could hurt farming upgrades and investment. Meanwhile, the NSW Labor government is also considering an inquiry into reported worker abuses linked to labour hire companies serving the berry farms. Most states regulate these companies, but NSW does not. Allegations include underpayment and poor living conditions, especially for workers on the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. Faehrmann blamed past National party policies for these issues and urged Labor to fix them. The bill and potential inquiry highlight growing tensions between farming expansion, environmental care, and worker rights in NSW’s berry industry.