The North Coast Climate Smart Agriculture project supports farmers and the agriculture industry in the North Coast Local Land Services region to:
- adapt and build resilience to climate change
- improve knowledge for more effective farm business management
- adopt practices that reduce carbon emissions
- harness carbon and biodiversity incentives
- implement industry sustainability frameworks
- improve intensive horticulture land management practices
- protect and value Aboriginal cultural heritage and traditional land management.
Project background
The North Coast Local Land Services region is experiencing a range of impacts to local agriculture, ecosystems and social systems.
Threats to agricultural productivity and sustainability in the region include:
- climate change
- knowledge gaps impacting effective farm business management
- shifting market conditions
- pest animals
- invasive weeds
- plant diseases
- complex agricultural policies
- water quality impacts.
Project objectives
The North Coast Climate-Smart Agriculture project will:
- support farmers and industry to improve agricultural growth
- encourage adoption of sustainable natural resource management practices that protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity.
The project aims to protect:
- natural capital
- cultural heritage
- farm profitability.
Project delivery
Work includes:
- property planning course to support farmers to adopt practices that boost sustainability and preserve cultural heritage
- sustainable farm summits that bring together farmers, industry and First Nations organisations to share knowledge and build resilience to climate change
- sustainable farm profiles to showcase local farmers' efforts to meet carbon and biodiversity supply chain requirements
- Aboriginal cultural heritage protection
- educational products to support farmers and industry.
Project timeline
2025–26:
- Property planning and Pro Pastures course preparation and delivery
- Property planning and Pro Pastures Workshops (2026–2028)
- Intensive horticulture land management – irrigation and wastewater on-ground works and demo sites (2025–2028)
- Growing Sustainable Aboriginal Agriculture Gathering will bring together Aboriginal organisations, land managers and industry experts for exchange of knowledge and ideas.
2026–28:
- Sustainable Farm Summits (2026, 2028)
- Cultural Heritage Workshops
- project close (30 June 2028) and outcomes reporting.
Work underway
- Consultation with private land/livestock managers is underway to ensure scope and planned delivery meets needs.
- Property planning and Pro Pastures course preparation and delivery.
- Sustainable farm summits planning.
Project updates
July 2026
More than 30 Aboriginal land managers and industry professionals joined a two-day event for Aboriginal land managers to share traditional ecological knowledge for growing food and businesses that support community and culture.
Attending Aboriginal enterprises included:
- native nurseries
- bush tucker
- food and horticulture.
Day one, hosted by Namabunda Farm, Alstonville, focussed on opportunities for community, culture and Aboriginal owned businesses.
Day two, hosted by Conscious Ground Organics, Byron Bay, focussed on what is possible with native and traditional foods. Topics included growing sustainable food supplies, and medicinal and beauty products.
The gathering wrapped up with an opportunity for people attending to connect with industry experts who can assist them in their business and training ventures.
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Funding and partnerships
North Coast Local Land Services’ key delivery partners are:
- farmers
- private landowners
- livestock managers.
This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by North Coast Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. All outcomes for this project are recorded in MERIT.
Enquiries direct to the project team can be made by emailing
admin.northcoast@lls.nsw.gov.au or phoning 1300 795 299.
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