In a surprising development, Hawkesbury Council compliance officers have turned their attention toward the region’s longstanding tradition of homemade jam production, a craft that has sustained local farmers and delighted visitors for over 230 years. This scrutiny follows an inspection last week of a local roadside stall, initiated after a complaint about customer seating arrangements, which has now escalated to include the products being sold, notably those of elderly, small-scale producers.

The council officers reportedly photographed items on display, including jars of jam made by an 80-year-old local woman who has spent years using her skills to preserve seasonal farm produce and support her livelihood. Shortly after the visit, she received a call from Council officials who inquired whether she had development consent to manufacture jam and informed her that, without it, she would need to submit a formal Development Application (DA).

The requirement to submit a DA has raised concerns across the community, as Hawkesbury Council has one of the longest and most expensive DA processes in New South Wales. Currently, the Council’s DA process takes on average, more than 46 days to accept an application for lodgement—just the beginning of what can become a months-long journey through a web of requirements and regulations. The costs of applying for a DA can also be burdensome, with fees potentially running into thousands of dollars depending on the nature of the application.

For small-scale producers, many of whom sell their goods to operators of roadside stalls, the requirement to secure development consent threatens not only the viability of their operations but also the preservation of a local tradition that has become deeply embedded in Hawkesbury’s rural identity. This move is the latest in a series of recent actions by Council that local business advocates argue could risk discouraging small, home-based enterprises that have operated harmoniously for generations.

For many, the Hawkesbury Council’s insistence on compliance with high-cost, time-consuming processes appears to be at odds with supporting local producers. The community is left wondering why a tradition that has been embraced for generations should suddenly face obstacles at a time when small, local enterprises are struggling to survive.

Hawkesbury Council’s latest action risks impacting not only the livelihoods of elderly residents and small-scale jam makers but also the cultural fabric of the Hawkesbury region itself. As residents brace for further inspections, many are left questioning whether Council policies are in line with preserving the area’s unique heritage.