2015-12-14 General Committee Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 3 Noosa Shire Economic Plan

Rural Enterprise

Who:                                                      These take a more environmentally sustainable
                                                          and lower-scale approach to farming and food
Rural enterprises are captured in a number of Australia   production.
and New Zealand Standard Industry Classifications
such as agriculture and manufacturing.                    This sector is one that could benefit from leveraging
                                                          the clean, green credentials of the strong Noosa
Locally, businesses that make a significant               brand, the emerging Biosphere brand, and the
contribution to the region’s rural economy include        sustainability aspirations of the region. There is also
a variety of primary producers and growers across         a global trend towards healthy eating, understanding
livestock, horticulture, value-added boutique             the origins of local food and minimising food miles.
products, farmers markets and businesses that             Anecdotally, local demand may outstrip local
provide support services to the sector. For the           supply thus providing an opportunity for import
purpose of this Plan, Rural Enterprise consists of        replacement, the development of local distribution
businesses involved in production, processing, and        hubs and cooperative business models.
distribution of food and beverages, and those that
provide support services to those businesses.             The sector is supported by active networks such as
                                                          Country Noosa, the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce,
What:                                                     Slow Food Noosa and an early-stage informal
                                                          agribusiness network facilitated by Council.
This sector has the opportunity to leverage a
number of the region’s competitive advantages and         How:
consumer trends:
                                                          In collaboration with business, industry and agencies
•   Noosa is well known for food                          that support the sector, this Plan looks to:
•   Noosa Biosphere Reserve status supports clean,
                                                          •   support increased collaboration and connections
    green & locally produced food and beverages
                                                          •   develop efficient local supply chains
•   there are a growing number of boutique
    producers                                             •   identify and communicate critical information
                                                              about the sector
•   there is increasing demand for sustainably
    produced local food and beverages.                    •   establish a premier food and beverage brand

                                                          •   increase employment and training opportunities.
Noosa’s predominantly peri-urban hinterland has a
long agricultural history. In recent years there has
been a shift in agribusiness away from traditional
industrial farming to smaller lot and lifestyle farms.