What is it? 
Hawkesbury City Council is located in the west of the Sydney Metropolitan area, a region that has experienced the highest population growth rate in Australia over the last decade. High population growth has had significant impacts on the agricultural landscape of the area; prime land has been lost to urban sprawl, open agricultural land has been fragmented through rural subdivision and traditional agricultural land users have had to make way for urban housing, rural residential allotments and new industry. This urban expansion has meant significant change to the agricultural landscape and to agricultural industry, but it has also come at a cost to the areas considerable heritage value. The fertile land of the Hawkesbury served as the food bowl for the first colony and many signs of its colonial history remain. Its proximity to Sydney, its green, fertile fields and its dramatic mountain backdrop all contribute to a unique resource for the whole region.
 Hawkesbury City Council have clearly identified the need for the retention of agriculture within the region, and as part of an ongoing process they have initiated the "Hawkesbury Agricultural Retention through Diversification and Clustering" (HARtDaC) project; the first of its kind in the region. This project will consider, in some detail, agricultural opportunities in the region that can assist in the retention of agriculture, by investigating opportunities for diversification of farming, and opportunities to enhance agricultural activity through farming networks. In the first instance, the project will consider crop suitability based on the survey and analysis of critical biophysical factors.  However, it will also consider these biophysical opportunities in the light of socio economic factors, such as infrastructure, market accessibility and access to skills and knowledge. This is a truly integrated approach that considers farming opportunities in the context of their environmental, social and economic impact.
What will it achieve?
The project will provide a showcase for agricultural retention, particularly in the Sydney Basin, demonstrating the many social, environmental and economic benefits of sustainable agriculture in peri-urban areas, benefits that include food production, employment, amenity and open space, wealth creation and conservation. An approach will be developed to address issues such as residential development in rural areas and the dynamic global market for agriculture products, in order to develop a strategy that seeks to optimise the sustainable use of agricultural land and adapt to future changes in the global marketplace.
Over the course of the project, agricultural experts will carry out the detailed analysis of the biophysical characteristics of individual properties gathering data on microclimate, water and soil characteristics. The project will also involve a market analysis that will evaluate the market potential for both existing and potential agricultural products. Finally, this information will be drawn together to assess the various alternatives for the retention of agriculture in the Hawkesbury, by identifying their comparative advantages and setting down the findings in a logical framework. Participating farmers will be provided with farm specific and regional information that will facilitate in their development of whole farm plans for their properties. This approach will encourage community co-operation and empower the rural community of Hawkesbury to take ownership of their sustainable future, as it allows for them to link actions in the present to future impacts on their rural landscapes.
The Network
The following Hawkesbury property owners have joined the project and established the farmer network.
-
John and Patricia Maguire of Grose Vale
-
Gail Knox of Grose Vale
-
Richard and Alison Clarke of Freemans Reach
-
Bill and Julie Shields of Bilpin
-
Stephen and Susan Fennelly of Lower Portland
-
Donald, Bernice, Kirk and Laila Carroll of Kurrajong Heights
-
Carole Maher and David Gregory of Grose Vale
-
John and Yvonne Fielding of North Richmond
-
Robert and Norah Tolson, Mulgrave
-
Darren and Justine Geake of Kurrajong Hills
Where is HARtDaC up to?
The final phase of the project has been completed. The biophysical data has been collected and analysed in conjunction with socio cultural, economic and politico-administrative factors to provide a final report. The final report has been produced and provides the detailed analysis of the relevant factors. It has provided information on 15 potential commodities for growth in the Hawkesbury and the key market opportunities available. Eight key strategic directions for the stakeholders to consider adopting, were developed and are also contained within the report.
The report has been presented to Council's Strategic Planning Committee who has recommended the report be presented to Council for it's consideration. It will be presented to Council early 2006.
Click to view 'Growing Hawkesbury's Future' Final Report.
One of the key outcomes of the project is the formation of the Hawkesbury Sustainable Farmers Network. The Network is group of local farmers focussed on supporting sustainable farming in the Hawkesbury. They appreciate the broader value of farming to the local community. They also wish to increase the recognition and promote the importance of innovation, education and communication in sustaining farming in the Sydney basin, which is under increasing pressures through development. They wish to focus on education, knowledge sharing and innovation.
This group would welcome new members who share their vision for agriculture in the Hawkesbury. The group intends to hold meetings, workshops and courses in conjunction with relevant professionals and industry representatives. For details about the group please contact Mr Bill Shields on 4567 1206.
Hawkesbury Council would like to thank everyone involved in the project: the network farmers, Agriculture Victoria Services, GROW Employment Services, The Department of Regional Transport and Services, The Greater Western Sydney Economic Development Board, The Department of State and Regional Development, The NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of Western Sydney and Hawkesbury Harvest.
The Contacts
For further information regarding the project please contact:
Carys Evans
Project Manager
Agriculture Victoria Services
Phone: (03) 9742 8798
E-mail: carys.evans@dpi.vic.gov.au
|
