Agribusiness Project
Funded by the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations
and Small Business under the Regional Assistance Program (RAP), this project was commenced
under the working title of the Yarra Ranges Agribusiness
Resource Profile and Opportunity Audit. As this title
suggests, its essential aim was to gather as much information
as possible about the agricultural produce grown in the Shire
of Yarra Ranges, the quantities grown and its economic value.
The study was aimed also at discovering the issues impacting
on the agribusiness sector in this region; the advantages,
the impediments to growth, as well as any potential opportunities
that might be of benefit to the sector. In addition the project
aimed to produce an online register of regional agribusinesses.
During the inception of the project, the Shire of Nillumbik
was also included as a project partner.
The Centre undertook this project on behalf of the Centre for Agriculture and Business - the regional Agribusiness Forum. The process involved extensive regional collaboration over the past year.
Surveys were mailed to 2340 farm-rated properties in Nillumbik and Yarra Ranges and 304 regional members of industry sector associations. As a follow up, approximately 1,200 people residing in this region were surveyed by telephone. Additional detailed information was gathered through nine focus groups and five series of interviews with members of the region's major agribusiness sectors. In addition, desktop research reviewed relevant reports and sourced additional data to inform the project that was conducted between March and November 2000.
The Yarra Ranges and the Shire of Nillumbik are characterised by large areas of rural-zoned land and, particularly in Yarra Ranges, a significant rural industry. The strengths of the region, more fully described in the focus group and survey response sections, are mainly the climate, soils, rainfall, proximity to markets and the rural support industries that have grown up around strong regional agribusiness.
The considerable natural beauty of the region and a growing reputation for fine food and wines has led to increased tourist visitation and value-adding opportunities for regional agribusiness.
The study estimates the regional value of agriculture to be in the vicinity of $648.9 million (although considerably greater than ABS estimates, is still likely to be an underestimation). 1024 agribusinesses have been identified through survey response and industry association membership lists. Of all businesses responding to the surveys, 435 requested inclusion in the online agribusiness register. A further 119 businesses providing services to agribusiness were also identified.
The full project report is Farming Real Estate? Challenges and Opportunities for Agribusiness on the Urban Fringe - Yarra Valley Region. The report includes six major recommendations to underpin the work of the Centre for Agriculture and Business, the two Shires and Swinburnes's Centre for Regional Development. It is available in PDF format by clicking here.
Web link: www.agribusiness-yarravalley.com