With the Victorian State Election fast approaching, Council is advocating to all candidates and political parties to reduce red tape and support practical measures that help farm gate businesses establish, grow and attract visitors.
Farm gate businesses are farms that sell their produce directly to customers, particularly roadside stalls, cellar doors, pick-your-own and cafes. Current requirements to set up farm gate operations in Victoria involve excess red tape across a range of regulatory and legislative frameworks that are prohibitive for most farms.
The New South Wales Government has recently made changes to planning provisions and land zoning requirements for farm use to better enable farm gate tourism, which is already having a positive effect. Similar changes would enable those same opportunities in Victoria.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Kate Wilson said there is untapped economic potential with farm gates tourism in Baw Baw Shire.
"Farm gates give people a reason to slow down, explore our smaller communities and experience the food, produce, farming and landscapes that make up our beautiful Baw Baw Shire", said the Mayor.
"Our productive land and proximity to Melbourne provides the perfect foundation for a farm gate economy that connects visitors directly with local producers, food, farming and regional experiences.
"While there are many successful farm gates in operation across Baw Baw Shire ranging from cellar doors to pick-your-own berry farms, more can be done to support local farms to diversify their businesses and expand their offering.
"Together with farm gate businesses, we're calling on the Victorian Government to reduce the red tape and address current barriers to agribusiness and support Baw Baw to become a thriving hub for farm gate tourism.
"We need sensible, proportionate regulation that keeps people safe without putting unnecessary roadblocks in the way of agriculture and our local economy.
"This is our opportunity to support the Shire's growing farm gate economy, recognising the role local producers can play in creating jobs, strengthening regional tourism and supporting small business."
Recently, Mayor Wilson met with Abby Grayham who runs Ashridge Truffle Farm in Neerim South and spoke about their experience opening a farm gate business in a challenging and complex regulatory environment.
"In Victoria, farm gate operators are very limited in what they can do and sell in a farm gate shop. In New South Wales the same limits do not apply", Ms Grayham said.
"A farm gate business across the border can open a café and sell goods from producers across their region as an as of right activity, whereas here in Victoria there are far more restrictions which severely limit your offering to customers.
"We need to have some of the red tape removed to allow us similar as of right activities for farm gates as our neighbours in New South Wales do."
Alongside targeted advocacy efforts, Council continues to promote its key asks to government representatives and decision makers. Council welcomes any opportunity to meet with elected representatives and candidates for the seat of Narracan to discuss these advocacy priorities and other opportunities.
Mayor Wilson added that leading into November, state elections are the most important time to make our community's needs heard.
"We've been successful in receiving some funding commitments from candidates for Narracan on other important matters. We must continue to build on this momentum so all parties come to the table and commit to delivering for our community."
