2016-11-08 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

Rural Enterprise

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

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.

These take a more environmentally sustainable and lower-
scale approach to farming and food production.