PRODUCERS in Hepburn Shire will soon be more supported with funding provided to create a premium produce hub, which is hoped to bring many agricultural and economic benefits for existing and future businesses.
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Hepburn Shire Council's chief executive officer Evan King said the hub was not a building as such, but would mean the employment of a staff member to offer a range of services to those working within or wanting to get into the premium produce industry.
The state government has announced $570,000 towards the hub, in addition to the council's contribution of $150,000 to kick start the project.
The funding, provided for a three year pilot, will allow for the employment of a member of staff to help small-scale farmers and producers living and working not just within Hepburn Shire but within the wider Central Highlands region.
The Hub for Premium Produce is a priority project of the Central Highlands Regional Partnership - encompassing Ararat Rural City, the City of Ballarat, Golden Plains Shire, Hepburn Shire, Moorabool Shire and Pyrenees Shire.
It aims to help farmers and producers navigate through the regulatory processes, unlock opportunities and try to bring the sector together so it can work cohesively.
Through the project, networking opportunities will be facilitated and the skills and capacity of the sector will be built on so it can continue to grow and thrive.
It will also provide a clear link with the government to assist in advocating for the sector in regards to challenges and opportunities.
Mr King said he was excited Hepburn Shire had been chosen to run the pilot.
Working with the Central Highlands Regional Partnerships and Agricultural Victoria, the council led the project to develop a business case to explore the issues faced by the Premium Produce Enterprise sector in order to develop potential solutions.
One of the issues highlighted was the growing state of small-scale farmers within the region, and a need to support it.
If successful, it is hoped the pilot will be rolled out more broadly.
Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, said the initiative would have considerable economic benefits not just within the shire but across the broader Central Highlands region.
Our region is home to one of Victoria's important food-bowls. We have many smaller-scale food producers and processors, using artisan techniques in their production.
- Hepburn Shire Mayor Don Henderson
"This initiative will allow us to leverage on the great work already being done by these producers, taking these enterprises to another level."
According to the business case, the Central Highlands region has an established agricultural sector worth almost $1 billion in agricultural production and $1.5 billion in food processing each year.
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