Read before you sign and support of course. Thanks for taking the time to pass this on Johno. Cromwell Farms loves the sound of this and are keen to do what we can to keep our families farming in the Byron Shire.
Hi All,
the recent farming forum and workshops have been really interesting and it has been refreshing to have the agribusiness sector recognised as a valuable industry for the region.
These sessions have again highlighted the one united issue raised by all farming demographics that there is an urgent need for the key position of Agriculture Officer to be appointed by Byron Shire Council. This role should be responsible for the strategic development of agriculture industry in the Shire, the local food economy and to support sustainable agricultural enterprise and land management.
We reflect on the success of Tweed’s Sustainable Agriculture department, Lismore’s rural landholder initiatives, and the Clarence Valley’s new food and agriculture initiative.
It was highlighted at the Agriculture and Agribusiness Workshop that Byron Shire Council is in their budgetary review phase so now is a critical time to highlight to the elected Councillors the importance of having an Agriculture Officer appointed to better represent the needs and concerns of the farming and agribusiness sector.I have listed a few of the requirements the appointed Agriculture Officer would need to assist farmers and landholders with:
Assist landholders to understand the complexities of the planning rules and regulations
Ensure the ongoing protection of prime agricultural land
Minimise land use conflicts between agriculture and other land uses
Increase utilisation of prime agricultural land for agricultural purposes
Provide access to information and opportunities for new/young farmers
Work with industry to attract research and development funding and investment to enhance productivity and scope for employment growth.
Ensure strategic planning is made to develop and enhance the local agribusiness sector and.
Act as an effective communications conduit between the agricultural sector and different departments within the council that may impact, regulate or be responsible for policies and processes that relate to aspects of agriculture or agribusinessFor this to be effective we need this open letter to be circulated to the greater Byron Shire farming community and gather as many names to co-sign this letter. We will present the letter to Councillors prior to the workshop next Wednesday 9th May 2018.
What you need to do:
1. Read the letter above
2. If you support the need for an Agriculture Officer please reply to this email with your name, address, what you farm and how many acres. For example John Doe, 1 Byron road Byron Bay, Macadamia Farm 80 acres
3. PLEASE REPLY BEFORE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MONDAY 7TH MAY (sorry for the short notice)
4. Additionally, please visit our online petition and register your support.
https://www.communityrun.org/petitions/byron-shire-needs-an-agricultural-officer
We will collect all the supporting names and co-sign the letter and present this to councillors prior to the workshop next Wednesday.
If you wish to discuss this further please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below.
Kind regards
Johnson Hunter
General ManagerM: 0405526559
A: 11 Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale NSW 2481
E: [email protected]
W: thefarmbyronbay.com.au