Tamworth’s police will not start taking gun buyback appointments until after the Tamworth Country Music Festival, with the Minns Labor Government delaying its start in the city to Monday, 8 February.
The buyback had been due to begin in Tamworth on Monday, 18 January, in the middle of the festival.
“I raised concerns with the government, and it has now been changed,” said Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson.
“All available police, including the additional police that are allocated to our region for festival, will be on the streets on duty, not waiting at the police station for people to surrender their guns.”
“The last thing police need during that time is the added administrative burden of handling a buyback.”
The NSW Police website has been updated to reflect the new Tamworth date.
“I’m grateful that the Minister heard my concerns and changed the date in Tamworth,” Mr Anderson said.
“I’ve always said I’ll work with anyone to get a result for our community, and I’m relieved that the government has listened on this occasion.”
Across the rest of NSW, the buyback begins on Monday, 2 November, with staggered dates for collection places coming online, and farmers say they have been left in limbo.
NSW Farmers has raised serious concerns about the proposed pathway for primary producers to own more than 10 firearms, which may see them forced to apply under a different licensing category.
The concern follows a NSW Government announcement on Monday, 26 October, that only licence holders with genuine reasons of sport or target shooting, vertebrate pest animal control, or business or employment may be eligible to apply for additional firearms in limited and exceptional circumstances. Primary production was absent from the list.
“It’s extraordinary that after almost a year of engagement and consultation, the government still hasn’t explicitly understood the legitimate needs of farmers,” said NSW Farmers President Rebecca Reardon.
“Primary production is already a recognised licensing category. Farmers shouldn’t have to navigate another category or additional layers of bureaucracy simply to demonstrate the legitimate operational needs of their businesses. It makes absolutely no sense.”
Ms Reardon said the announcement raised more questions than answers and compounded the uncertainty facing farmers following rushed legislative reforms.
“We have raised several major implementation issues that remain unresolved and despite repeated representations to the Premier, ministers and other key decision makers, the practical needs of farmers have still not been adequately addressed,” she said.
“We need a firm commitment that primary producers will have access to a practical, reliable and transparent pathway where they need additional firearms.”
The NSW Government has indicated NSW Police will shortly undertake further targeted consultation on regulations governing applications for additional firearms.
“Here we are, days from the buyback, and the government is proposing more consultation without answering some of the most basic questions,” Ms Reardon said.
“Consultation on this next step must be genuine and they must actually listen to farmers on what will work in order to avoid unintended consequences for food and fibre production.”
“Farming operations vary enormously in size, location and complexity. Some businesses operate across multiple properties and face significant pest pressures that justify access to more than 10 firearms.”
NSW Farmers has opposed arbitrary firearm ownership caps from the outset, and is also calling for an independent merit review pathway for licensing decisions to be restored following the removal of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal appeals process.
“Without independent review, farmers will have fewer avenues to challenge decisions about legitimate applications for additional firearms, raising serious concerns about transparency and fairness,” Ms Reardon said.
“We’ve also been clear that if farmers are required to surrender legally owned firearms, they deserve fair compensation, and the current valuation model has serious flaws.”
NSW Farmers is Australia’s largest state-based agricultural organisation, representing farmers and regional communities across NSW.
“Although the buyback begins on 2 November, farmers should not feel pressured to rush decisions about surrendering firearms,” Ms Reardon said.
“They need to understand their individual circumstances, available options and legal obligations.”
“This isn’t about opposing firearm safety. It’s about ensuring reforms don’t create unnecessary barriers for law-abiding farmers who rely on firearms to do their jobs safely and effectively.
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