Home / Environment / Blueberry Boom Divides NSW Mid-North Coast Residents
Blueberry Boom Divides NSW Mid-North Coast Residents
8 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Blueberry farming expanded 400% from 2001 to 2016
- Beef and dairy farmers face pesticide contamination concerns
- Residents demand more regulation on new blueberry farms
As of October 2025, the New South Wales mid-north coast is experiencing a surge in blueberry farming that has sparked tensions between new and longtime residents. Over the past few years, blueberry farms have been rapidly replacing traditional dairy and beef operations, leading to conflicts over land use and environmental concerns.
Dairy and beef farmers, as well as residents who moved to the region for its natural beauty, are now facing issues like pesticide contamination and the visual impact of the expansive blueberry plantations. Meanwhile, the blueberry industry has been expanding at a breakneck pace, with production jumping 40% between 2022 and 2024 according to industry data.
