By BRIDGET COOK
THE State Government has launched an extensive plan to guide the vision and strategic direction for the region’s agrifood sector.
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan launched the Southern Melbourne Regional Development Australia’s (RDA) Agrifood Master Plan at the official opening of Tynong’s Nine Mile Fresh apple sorting facility on Friday.
The plan was developed in conjunction with the region’s three local councils – Casey, Cardinia and Mornington Peninsula.
The plan outlines a framework for the development of agriculture across Melbourne’s outer south east, as well as highlights the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
“The plan outlines the region’s many agricultural advantages, its economic benefits to Victoria and recommends strategies for investment and growth in the food production industry over the next 10 years,” Mr Ryan said.
The report highlights the changes in gross value of sales for each local government area in agribusiness, showing a 28 per cent drop in Casey since 2006.
However, neighbouring municipalities have seen growth with sales up 30 per cent in Cardinia and 37 per cent in the Mornington Peninsula.
The report makes a number of recommendations to ensure growth in Casey’s agribusiness sector including marketing the area’s capability in food processing, engaging with existing processing business operating in Casey and supporting them to grow and establish farmers’ markets and direct-to-consumer supple chains.
The report also recommends establishing an education and training alliance of universities, Tafes, secondary schools, the local learning network and Agrifood Skills Australia to develop a virtual food skills and training centre of excellence.
Mr Ryan said with the region’s food producers continuing to experience significant urban encroachment, there was a need to focus on higher value, differentiated products such as asparagus, premium beef, quality wine, premium dairy products, berries and herbs.
He said the plan identified key trends that will have the greatest impact on the local agrifood sector over the coming decade from challenges such as rising water costs and seasonal labour shortages to opportunities such as soaring global demand for food and the rise of Asia’s middle class.
“The Victorian Coalition government recognise the importance of local agrifood businesses adapting to these ongoing changes,” he said.
“That’s why we are supporting the sector through initiatives such as our Food to Asia Action Plan which seeks to build on our position as a leading exporter of premium food and beverage products to key Asian markets.”
The $17 million Tynong facility – a joint venture between Battunga Orchards and Bon View Orchards – would process 30 per cent of all the apples sold in Australia and would be the largest and most sophisticated apple sorting facility in the country.
Mr Ryan said the cutting-edge equipment operating at Nine Mile Fresh increased sorting capacity from 160 to 500 bins of fruit per day and reduced sorting, grading and packing costs by up to 20 per cent.
“Fifty local apple growers will supply this state-of-the-art facility, allowing them to meet the quality and volume requirements demanded by the major supermarkets,” he said.
To read the full Agrifood Master Plan visit www.rdv.vic.gov.au/smrda.
