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Save farmland for future prosperity: ag leaders warnSouth Gippsland Shire should not extend conservation zones into valuable agricultural land, according to a leading regional group. By Susan Webster - 26th November 2008 - Back to News
Nor should it allow ‘as of right’ development on minimum lots in farm or rural living zones, according to Agribusiness Gippsland Inc. (AGI). AGI chair Alex Arbuthnot warned that either step could jeopardise the shire’s future prosperity as a foodbowl region.
The industry-good body this week made several recommendations to the shire, responding to its draft Rural Land Use Strategy.
"Although AGI supports a farm zone to protect productive agriculture, it also recognises there are investment opportunities in rural living zones. The mix should be determined by local input," Mr Arbuthnot said.
"Similarly, AGI does not have a strong position on the size of minimum lots. Once again, that should be determined by local knowledge.
"However it needs to be recognised that future development in intensive farming might occur on small lots. The critical issue is that there must not be a right to development, but rather a process to permit appropriate developments that assist rural productivity."
AGI also issued a warning about extending conservation zones. "This would undoubtedly reduce investment and land use options in the future," Mr Arbuthnot said.
The AGI submission warned that the strategy’s forward population growth projections could be too low.
"Estimates of shire growth are very conservative. The population increase predicted for Victoria of one million people over the next decade, together with the development of Hastings Container Port, will move urban pressures into the Pakenham corridor. This, together with industrial development in the Latrobe Valley industrial sector and the major tourist attractions of our beaches and rolling green hills will have effects on South Gippsland."
The group also noted a potential switch in agricultural land use.
Mr Arbuthnot said: "Although dairying will continue to be the major source of agricultural income and employment, AGI expects continued and growing investment in intensive agriculture, particularly in the horticultural and cropping industries."
He also noted that any policy would have to consider the impact of increase investment in land by off-shore investors, including family companies as well as corporates and managed investment schemes.
The submission by AGI acknowledged that, while big food processors will be the region’s big income earners, small business and farmers value-adding with farm products and niche markets would also be important for agri-tourism, and that their activities might also support a potential Gippsland-quality brand.
Welcoming the plan, Mr Arbuthnot said: "A rural land use plan will be an important tool to ensure continued investment in the agricultural industry that continues to underpin the economic and social development of the South Gippsland Shire."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: susanw@ptarmigan.com.au
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