Thursday, March 28, 2024

TFGA: An extension to permitted development rights provided a lifeline for UK farmers – can we do the same in Australia?

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Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, TFGA Fast News, 20 April 2022

In the UK, Pitchup.com supported a successful campaign to extend permitted development rights allowing change of use of land for camping. This small change to planning rules facilitated the opening of 1,000 pop-up campsites across the country over the summer season, primarily at farms, and helped over 300,000 holidaymakers book a much-needed break in the outdoors (more information).

Lake District National Park
Camping in the Lake District in the UK.

In fact, one farmer was able to return home to the family farm in The Lake District thanks to the cash injection from a pop-up campsite, and one farmer in Wales said he would have had to invest about $384,000 in cattle in order to make the same as he did from his pop-up campsite.

Recently, the number of caravans allowed on private land in Australia has increased, and it seems that there is appetite for regulations to be relaxed further. With international travel still proving difficult, as well as costly during the cost-of-living crisis, and domestic camping and RV industries booming in Australia, we believe a similar initiative would be beneficial. A relaxation in legislation would provide a lifeline to holidaymakers looking for a local getaway, as well as farmers and landowners looking to gain additional revenue to support their business.

If you would like to write to your local minister about the issue, you can find their contact details here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/ 

For more information on how to start a campsite visit: https://www.pitchup.com/en-au/how-start-campsite-caravan-park/ or email enquiries@pitchup.com 

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