Saving the land

By Bridget Brady
RICH agricultural land once lost, is lost forever.
These are the words echoed by Casey council on the prospect of losing precious agricultural land that is subject to urban development.
The land in the Clyde area has been classified as being part of the Bunyip Food Belt, which stretches over about four council areas.
Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon said Melbourne’s food security was at risk if the farmland was turned into housing development.
Casey council presented an alternative planning option for Casey’s growth, which would have saved the Bunyip Food Belt, but it was not taken on board.
Cr Stapledon said the council presented an option that still ensured Casey’s rapid growth was catered for, with the population in Casey expected to reach 394,000 by 2030.
Cr Stapledon said the food belt was the subject at a recent business awards night.
“It was stated that the belt was Melbourne’s next major food producing area; the land being the most fertile and valuable agricultural land and destined to become an intensive food production precinct that would not only help deliver food security for Melbourne’s population, but also deliver considerable economic benefits bringing food production investment into the region,” Cr Stapledon said.
“The issue is so important that we cannot let an opportunity escape us.”
The council will write to the Planning Minister seeking to exclude the Bunyip Food Belt from the Casey UGB.