NSW Opens Public Consultation on the Future of Hemp Industry

NSW Government Invites Public Feedback on Draft Hemp Industry Development Plan

The New South Wales Government has opened public consultation on its draft Hemp Industry Development Plan, a comprehensive blueprint to establish industrial hemp as a mainstream and sustainable crop across the state. Released by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPI-RD), the draft plan builds on the findings of the NSW Hemp Industry Taskforce Report, now available on the DPI-RD website, and sets out a strategic vision to grow NSW’s hemp sector from paddock to product.

Key Objectives of the Draft Plan

1. Mainstream Hemp Cultivation
   Position hemp alongside traditional broadacre crops, with streamlined regulations and support services for growers.
   
2. Value-Added Manufacturing
   Foster the development of hemp-based processing and manufacturing industries—from textiles to biocomposites—to capture more of the supply chain locally.
   
3. Farmer Support and Research
   Enhance access to research, agronomic data, and climate-resilient growing practices, while clarifying licensing and compliance pathways.
   
4. Innovation and Sustainability
   Encourage novel applications in construction, nutrition, and environmental remediation, driving carbon-neutral solutions and regional economic growth.
   

Industry Voices Call for Engagement

“This is a golden opportunity for NSW to catch up with the global hemp movement,” said Michael Balderstone, President of the Legalise Cannabis Australia Party and the Nimbin HEMP Embassy. “Northern Rivers growers and regional stakeholders must contribute their insights now, or risk our state falling further behind.”

Georgina Wilkinson, Vice-President of the Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance and co-owner of Margaret River Hemp Co., added, “I hope other states follow NSW’s lead—this Taskforce model demonstrates how government, industry and communities can collaborate to unlock hemp’s full potential.”

How to Have Your Say

• Online Survey: Visit the NSW Government “Have Your Say” portal at
  https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/draft-nsw-hemp-industry-development-plan
  
• Written Submission: Email your feedback to [email protected]
  

Submissions close on 19 May 2025. Following the consultation period, DPI-RD will review feedback and outline the Taskforce’s next steps.

By inviting broad-based input, NSW aims to refine the draft plan into a final policy that harnesses hemp’s environmental benefits—such as low-impact farming and carbon sequestration—while stimulating new manufacturing jobs and bolstering regional economies.

References & Links

• NSW Hemp Industry Taskforce Report (DPI-RD): https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/nsw-hemp-industry
  
• Draft Plan Feedback Portal: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/draft-nsw-hemp-industry-development-plan
  

For further information, visit the DPI-RD website or contact the Industrial Hemp Alliance.