Cardinia Shire Council is strengthening the shire's food and agribusiness sector and is calling on the community to get involved.
The Draft Agribusiness Audit Report has been completed following a number of research and engagement activities during 2024–25. More than 330 rural landowners, farmers, food businesses, industry representatives and community leaders informed the audit.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Brett Owen said the report provided an overview of the current state of the food and agriculture sector in the shire, as well as challenges and opportunities for the future.
"The audit findings have confirmed our shire's position as a major food-producing region that contributes an estimated $500 million to the economy every year," Mayor Owen said.
"Cardinia Shire is often referred to as Victoria's 'food bowl', and rightly so with producers in our region supplying fresh food to metropolitan, regional, interstate and export markets every single day.
"Our region's natural amenity, the quality of its soils and climate for diverse agricultural production, and the appeal of rural living near metropolitan and regional services were consistently highlighted by project participants."
A key opportunity identified through the audit is the establishment of a Food and Agribusiness Advisory Committee. Council is now inviting expressions of interest from community members interested in joining the committee to help shape policies, strategies and initiatives aimed at strengthening the shire's food and agribusiness sector.
Mayor Owen said Council was seeking up to 10 community representatives to join the committee, which would also include two Councillors and Council staff.
"The advisory committee will play an integral role in supporting Council's vision for food and agribusiness across the shire," he said.
"We're inviting Cardinia Shire residents from diverse backgrounds, such as farming, food production and manufacturing, science, technology and industry organisations, to express interest in joining the committee and share their knowledge and insights.
"The committee will provide advice on strategies, identify emerging trends and challenges, advocate for industry needs and help to strengthen connections between Council and key stakeholders in the sector."
Expressions of interest for the Food and Agribusiness Advisory Committee are open until 22 February.
The Draft Agribusiness Audit Report is available for the community to view and provide feedback until 15 March.
Opportunities identified through the audit, together with the Food and Agribusiness Advisory Committee, will help to inform the development of Cardinia Shire Council's new Food and Agribusiness Strategy, which is a key initiative of the new Council Plan 2025–29.
To help inform the strategy, a number of community pop-up sessions will be held:
- Monday 9 February, 6–7:30pm, Koo Wee Rup Community Centre, 255 Rossiter Road, Koo Wee Rup.
- Thursday 19 February, 6–7:30pm, Gembrook Community centre, 4 Gembrook Road., Gembrook.
- Monday 2 March, 6–7:30pm, Cardinia Cultural Centre, Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham.
- Saturday 14 March, 10 am–2pm, Pakenham Agricultural Show, PB Ronald Reserve, John Street, Pakenham.
