Page 366 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 17 February 2015
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The roundtable also discussed agriculture’s role in diversifying the ACT economy. Agriculture should be part of ACT economic planning. It would be useful to have a business case to show the benefits of a large-scale agricultural proposal, with one suggestion that 10,000 to 12,000 people could be employed in the sector. One group focused on red tape reduction and there was discussion about issues that would be better explained to producers and retailers through fact sheets and check lists, for example, on relevant rules and regulations. There was also examination of some areas which are perhaps over-regulated, such as requirements for weighing individual eggs, the size of hand washing sinks and requirements for selling food. Creating a single point of contact with ACT government on food production issues was also raised.
Opportunities for food-based education were also a key issue at the roundtable. As well as residents simply wanting to know what they can grow and where, there is also a need for consumers, caterers, schools and retailers to understand the availability and nutritional value of fresh and high quality food, as well as opportunities to be involved in food production.
There was ample discussion about how to promote the region, and also how to support and invest in demonstration gardens similar to CERES in Melbourne. This provides people with practical education about food while having a pleasant visit, thus supporting increased tourism and creating jobs. Supporting champions to drive school gardens is important, and schools need to be resourced to do this work. This could also be replicated to support food production for Canberra’s most vulnerable.
I would like to thank all the people who attended the roundtable. As you have heard, there was a considerable amount of interesting input. I would also like to acknowledge the work that is already being undertaken by the ACT government. TAMS continues to support existing community gardens and will continue work to support new, similar arrangements, such as the City Farm, and plant waste from Floriade being composted at Mugga Lane and then made available to the public. The Health Directorate has a number of programs that support growing and harvesting food, including building the capacity in schools to establish and maintain kitchen gardens. ACT Health has funded the University of Canberra to develop an interactive map of community gardens to facilitate connections between gardeners and sites with benefits including food, exercise and social inclusion.
The Environment and Planning Directorate has developed the ACT water strategy “Striking the balance” and is reviewing the water sensitive urban design code, which addresses some of the water issues raised at the roundtable. It is also implementing Canberra’s integrated urban waterways program, which allows for stormwater reuse within the Sullivans Creek catchment.
All these initiatives are a great start, but there is more to be done. I look forward to continuing to work with TAMS and my government colleagues to improve policies and work towards food security for the ACT. I see a bright future with an expansion in regional production, including regional food tourism focused on sustainably produced food and wine, and an ongoing growth in community gardens. It is worth noting that on 12 November last year I launched the Canberra City Farm in Turner,
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