Elsie Lange
After nine years, the Macedon Ranges Agribusiness Forum will come to an end due to waning membership and involvement.
At a meeting on February 23, council unanimously decided to dissolve the forum as a committee of council, thanking members for contributing to its achievements.
Formed in 2013 in response to the Macedon Ranges agribusiness plan, the forum has been supportive in a number of council’s farm and agribusiness initiatives, providing relevant strategies and advocating for local industry sectors.
At the meeting, Cr Dominic Bonanno agreed with the officer’s report to council, which said the agribusiness forum had “had run its race”, that the COVID-19 situation had taken a toll, that Zoom meetings lacked a personal touch and that it was best to “acknowledge positive achievements, and move on”.
Cr Janet Pearce said the “wonderful” advisory committee decided the moment was too challenging to continue.
“We know the world and agriculture is changing a great deal and we see it through the lens of sustainability best practice and innovation,” Cr Peace said.
“It’s never been more important to protect our agricultural land and food and fibre security, and to be open to new approaches and opportunities.
“The forum helped us look towards this.”
Cr Peace said the farmers and other people on the forum over the years have been wise, diverse and generous in sharing their time and knowledge with the Macedon Ranges shire.
She wanted to reassure residents it was “not the end” of council support for agriculture and agribusiness, with an opportunity for a group to operate to other local industry sector peak bodies.
“It is with a heavy heart, but our shire is so much richer for this forum, and we want to thank and hope that you continue to be involved and share your thoughts and knowledge with us,” Cr Pearce said.
Mayor Jennifer Anderson said there’s “there’s other things out there” for agribusiness, and despite the council no longer having an agribusiness strategy, it has been incorporated into its economic development strategy.
