Eyes on agriculture

That was the theme of a meeting held in Singleton this week organiseby Regional                    Development Australia (RDA) Hunter and attended by representatives of Hunter Councils, NSW Minerals Council, Dairy Connect, Department of Primary Industries and the Catchment Management     Authority (CMA).

The event provided an opportunity to identify the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the region’s agriculture sector - recognised as a crucial contributor to the on-going success and diversification of the state’s economy. 

Agriculture is a very important industry for the Hunter and sustaining it for the future is critical to the region’s economy, according to Deloitte Access Economics Prospects and Challenges for the Hunter Region commissioned by RDA Hunter earlier this year.

“There are significant opportunities for the Hunter’s agriculture sector - especially with  niche agricultural products which are likely to benefit from the changing tastes of the burgeoning Asian market,” said Dr Gaye Hart, chair of RDA Hunter 

“This session will determine the critical issues affecting the region’s agriculture industry and help us develop a strong case to feed to government and ensure appropriate planning takes place,” Dr Hart said. 

RDA Hunter, an economic development agency, was established four years ago and is funded by the state and federal governments.

It covers 11 local government areas from Lake Macquarie in the south to the Upper Hunter in the north and Great Lakes in the east.

Beef, dairy, wine, thoroughbreds, grains, olives and aquaculture are some of the major agricultural industries of the region.

RDA Hunter will use the insights, feedback and views gained during this strategic conversation to identify priorities for the region and communicate these to inform policies and plans for agriculture and land use in the Hunter. 

Specifically, input at this roundtable will feature in a submission to the Issues Paper for the NSW Agriculture Industry Action Plan.