Feedback sought on plan to protect agriculture future

Published on 19 July 2024

A draft strategy to protect and build on Corangamite Shire’s leading agricultural sector has been released for public comment.

The Grow Corangamite: Sustaining our Agriculture Future aims to future proof and strengthen the sector over the next 20 years.

Members of the community are invited to provide feedback on the draft strategy at www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/GrowCorangamite by Monday 5 August.

Drop-in sessions will be held at:

Mayor Kate Makin said Corangamite Shire was the nation’s largest dairy producer.

“Agriculture is at the heart of Corangamite Shire’s prosperity – it is our number one industry by output, accounts for more than a third of local employment and underpins our local communities.

“This document is not only a land-use strategy, it looks at community, economic and environmental outcomes that build on the existing strengths of our agricultural sector,” Cr Makin said.

She said the one the aims of the strategy was to safeguard the Shire’s agricultural industry for food and animal fibre production.

“Corangamite’s farmland is strategically significant on a state and even national scale, and we need to be clear on our decision-making around competing land-uses.

“This strategy looks at how Council can position agriculture as a priority industry in the long-term through careful planning decisions.

“It’s a really important piece of work that will provide strong guidance for Council on issues genuinely impacting our agricultural industry,” Cr Makin added.

She encouraged those interested in providing feedback in person to attend one of the drop-in sessions in Simpson or Terang.

“I also thank Project Reference Group members for their contribution and everyone who got involved and shared their ideas during the initial engagement and preparation of the plan,” Cr Makin said. 

A final version of the Strategy will be presented to Council for adoption in August before it is implemented through a planning scheme amendment.