Current Projects
Development of a regional strategic plan
The Adelaide Plains Food Region is home to a vibrant horticulture industry with a high level of ethnic and cultural diversity – a positive aspect in a region amongst the most socially challenged in Australia. Production is set to rapidly expand due to increased water access through the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/major_programs/northern_adelaide_plains_agribusiness_initiative/northern_adelaide_irrigation_scheme); however, this poses is a risk of saturating existing markets. There is a need to develop a Masterplan to orchestrate stakeholders on the Adelaide Plains and tackle issues such as regional profile and labour force issues, while maximising opportunities from value adding and waste reduction. This project, which is funded by the Building Better Regions Fund and a range of stakeholders, is engaging ‘thought leaders’ to develop a well-constructed and consulted plan to achieve maximum benefit to local businesses and the community.
Previous Projects
A ‘snapshot’ of the Northern Adelaide Plains Horticulture Industry: Key issues and potential for collaboration
This project examined the merits of establishing a horticulture-based industry cluster in the Adelaide Plains Food Region. An initial stakeholder meeting identified the need to more closely understand current industry issues and to ascertain the opportunities and primary producer’s willingness to collaborate. A range of growers and producers were interviewed about opportunities and needs within the region that collaboration and/or clustering would support.
A range of areas were identified that could form the basis for future collaborations to deliver increased growth in income and employment for the region:
Improving Regional Profile, Appearance and Infrastructure
Developing Regional Export Markets
Regional Labour Plan
Group Purchasing Opportunities
Value-Added Processing
Increasing Business Acumen
The data collected during this survey has been used to inform the development of the Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster.