News
8 October, 2025
State’s first Agriculture Commissioner visits Wollondilly
Wollondilly Shire Council had a special visit from recently appointed NSW Agriculture Commissioner, Alison Stone on Tuesday.
Wollondilly Shire Council had a special visit from recently appointed NSW Agriculture Commissioner, Alison Stone on Tuesday.
She caught up with Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould and CEO Ben Taylor to have a chat about council priorities when it comes to agriculture and talking about future opportunities.
Ms. Stone was appointed in February as the State’s first Agriculture Commissioner.
The Mayor was able to highlight Council’s vision for strong, viable agriculture in the Shire, the value of their rural lands to the community and some of the current projects under way.
“Wollondilly is well placed to support agritourism, with an enabling planning framework already in place, and the Commissioner was particularly keen to see the development of more intensive horticulture and hydroponic type operations across Wollondilly,” a Wollondilly Shire Council spokesperson said.
“She also identified us as a case study for an area that manages land use conflict between agricultural and non-agricultural land uses well.”
Ms. Stone has 40 years of experience in primary industries, land use planning, rural advocacy, forestry, and infrastructure development, and brings invaluable expertise to the commissioner role.
She has also worked as a livestock farmer for 25 years and has held senior public service roles, including Deputy Director General for Land, Natural Resources & Forestry at NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Executive General Manager of Crown Lands, and First Assistant Secretary for Heritage & Wildlife at the Federal Department of Environment.
Her expertise in disaster resilience and emergency management, along with her advisory roles across Australia, has made her well-equipped to support NSW farming communities.
As Agriculture Commissioner, her focus is on land use in productive landscapes, providing expert advice on agricultural matters, and championing the interests of farmers and rural communities.
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