Blueberry Boom Divides NSW Mid-North Coast Residents

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.

Local authorities have tried to introduce regulations, such as requiring development applications for new blueberry farms, but these proposals have been rejected by the state government, which has sided with the industry's concerns about "red tape." Residents feel powerless to control the rapid transformation of the landscape, and the tensions have sometimes boiled over into confrontations at farm gates.

The environmental impact of the blueberry boom is also a major concern, with studies finding elevated levels of pesticides and nutrients in local waterways. The state's environmental agency says it is monitoring the situation, but residents remain worried about the long-term consequences.