Page 4570 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 18 October 2011
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“Valuing the land by using it efficiently, protecting areas of good biodiversity and agricultural food production” is one of the nine proposed strategies in the strategy. Retaining and protecting good agricultural land in the territory and across the region from urban expansion are a critical objective. A key action proposed under the draft strategy is to prepare a regional plan that identifies this prime land and how it can best be protected under the various planning systems.
Already I have announced that the government intends to prepare a scoping study on local food production. This is the first step towards a regional plan. It is envisaged that the scoping study might address the following matters: what is known about current local food production in the territory; where food is currently sourced; what the characteristics of the local food economy are; what needs to be considered; and where the knowledge gaps are.
Taking a strategic, regional perspective to food production is necessary to address the environmental, social and economic issues associated with producing, transporting and consuming food. Carbon emissions from the transport of food are only part of the environmental challenge. Modern food production is highly mechanised and consumes a great deal of water and energy. And we have to include in this the amount of food that we, as a community, end up wasting.
It is alarming to consider that at a time when we cannot feed the world’s current population, food waste per capita is increasing. It is estimated that in America food waste now accounts for approximately 300 million barrels of oil per year and more than a quarter of fresh water consumption. Also, diabetes and obesity are key social issues. To a greater rather than a lesser extent, these reflect the high level of processed food in people’s diets and the level of separation that now exists between consumers and those who produce our food.
Until the late 1960s Canberra enjoyed a high degree of local food production which was focused around the Molonglo Reach and Pialligo. We can take the opportunity to restore this balance and again increase the proportion of food produced locally.
Taking a regional approach can also add to our economic resilience. In 2006 ACT food production alone was valued at $17 million per annum. If we consider the agricultural diversity of the Canberra region and how we might more efficiently and effectively move and distribute produce, it is clear that we can significantly improve the regional economy. There is an opportunity to expand local employment with business associated with food and even with tourism activities associated with food and wine.
Working collaboratively and in partnership with our regional neighbours to use our land wisely is a priority for the government. However, within the territory we also need to take the opportunities and initiatives to use the land we place under urban development more efficiently and to meet more of our food needs.
The peri-urban areas provide almost all of the fresh fruit and vegetables that are consumed in Australia’s cities. Canberra does not have these extensive market garden
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