Securing Victoria Food supply

Urban sprawl and population pressures on food production at the fringe of our state’s major cities and towns to be addressed by a Lower House inquiry seeking public input.

The Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee is looking closely at the farming and manufacturing of food in peri-urban areas, particularly the impact of urban sprawl and population growth.

Committee Chair Juliana Addison said securing Victoria’s food supply is vital for the future.

“With our state’s population expected to rise above 10 million by the 2050s we must ensure we have enough arable land to sustain all of our food production needs,” Ms Addison said.

'It is also important to ensure farming remains an attractive and viable career. Agriculture and farming industries crucially provide the fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and countless other foods all of us rely on every day”.

“We need to consider ways to overcome the present and future challenges, so we can guarantee the longevity of our state’s food supply”.

Planning protections and restrictions, urban growth boundaries, and the financial pressures faced by farmers are being considered by the inquiry.

Ms Addison has urged Victorian farmers to have their say by completing the survey at this link: https://survey.agsurveys.com.au/222694.

“We want to hear from people involved in farming and other agricultural businesses on the peri-urban fringe of Victoria’s major cities and regional centres,” she said.

“Please share your perspective by completing the survey so we can ensure our findings reflect your experiences”.

An inquiry report will be tabled by the end of 2024.

For more information go to the Committee inquiry website: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/epc-la.