Article by Dane Millerd, courtesy of The Daily Telegraph
24.02.2026
Bailey Lynch, is a hard-working 28-year-old third generation operator of an agricultural business. Like many on the land, Lynch has donated his life to the family enterprise but time is running out for the farmer from the Bland Shire.
Lynch, like many others in the region, has been forced to close due to NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) regulations built on vegetation estimates that have caused catastrophic land use restrictions and mapping errors across the Bland Shire as well as other parts of the state.
“Our family in West Wyalong has been producing a natural, sustainable product from broombush that benefits the environment and has been in high demand in Sydney homes, particularly in the Northern Beaches for years, where people value a real, natural product,” he said.
But now, the young father can no longer sustain the mounting losses, limited land access and government bureaucratic overreach.
“Instead, the alternative is metal fence panels flown in from China – hardly sustainable and yet ironic given that both state and federal governments keep pushing clean, environmentally friendly policies,” he said.
“The CO₂ emissions from producing and transporting those panels negatively add to climate change issues the powers-that-be are so quick to tell us about, whereas what we do ensures the environment continues to thrive. I don’t know how NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe can sleep at night – to shut us down while increasing emissions is a complete joke.”
Rod Hardie, Vice President of the Bland Shire Landholders’ Right to Farm Group, who has advocated for the vegetation to be correctly reassessed, is equally perplexed and disillusioned.
“Our community, landowners, and local businesses are casualties of DCCEEW’s acknowledged vegetation extent estimates. The department is aware of the issue but is stonewalling any constructive progress. Some landholders have now been unable to earn an income for almost five years – five years with no sign of a resolution from the NSW Government despite our best efforts to engage”.
The crisis stems from what landowners allege is inaccurate data provided by DCCEEW to the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee leading to the committee estimating there was only 2300 hectares of this vegetation left in 2010 whereas in 2017 DCCEEW mapped 11,000 hectares of it.
“Either the vegetation is growing at an incredible rate or the DCCEEW is after a land grab – either way it’s wrong,” said Mr Lynch.
Mr Hardie agreed.
“Adding to the stress and feelings of helplessness is that DCCEEW has even mapped railway lines, roads, silos, farmhouses, and planted tree lines as native vegetation, stating that none can be changed without ecological review,” Hardie said.
“This has caused severe mental health impacts, including stress, anxiety, and family breakdown. Families and regional businesses are facing long-term economic loss, and others have been served fines and prosecutions – all the result of DCCEEW’s so-called estimates.”
West Wyalong landowners are calling on Minister Sharpe to fast-track a review by the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee who are responsible for vegetation reviews.
“An independent expert analysis confirms that the vegetation does not meet any criteria under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act to be listed as endangered,” said Mr Hardie.
“The DCCEEW states there is just 200 hectares of this vegetation type – but I’m managing in excess of 4,000 hectares in the area,” said Bailey Lynch.
“We secured a Freedom of Information document that states the NSW vegetation map is ‘not fit for purpose’ – yet this map has caused the loss of my business”.
“Decisions made on faulty science are costing lives, livelihoods, and futures,” said Mr Hardie.
“It could be so easily corrected – so why isn’t it?”
It’s a question the DCCEEW, Minister Sharpe and Premier Chris Minns are yet to answer and given none have made a trip to the Bland Shire since being elected, it might remain an unresolved issue for some time yet.
