NORTHERN VICTORIAN FOOD OPPORTUNITY STRATEGY and … · 2019. 8. 16. · Volume 1: Situation Analysis Volume 2: Strategy Volume 3: Action Plan. This document, Volume 3 Action Plan,

NORTHERN VICTORIAN FOOD OPPORTUNITY STRATEGY & ACTION PLAN

VOLUME 3 – ACTION PLAN

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Introduction

This document is Volume 3 of three documents prepared by McKINNA et al in the course of developing the Northern Victorian Food Opportunity Strategy and Action Plan. The three volumes are:

Volume 1: Situation Analysis

Volume 2: Strategy

Volume 3: Action Plan.

This document, Volume 3 Action Plan, outlines the actions and activities required to deliver the three-year strategic plan for the region’s food sector. It references existing plans, identifies gaps and nominates the agencies that could contribute to driving change.

All levels of government will collaborate with industry and other regional bodies to implement this plan.

This document is designed to function as a checklist for managing progress on the plan. In due course, a lead agency will be nominated to ‘champion’ each of the actions in this checklist and oversee its delivery. It was not possible to nominate a lead agency at the time of writing this Action Plan as it coincided with a state election and significant restructuring of government departments.

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1 ADDRESS LABOUR AVAILABILITY & SKILLS 1

DRIVE INNOVATION & EFFICIENCY 2

ATTRACT INVESTMENT 3

MAXIMISE VALUE FROM WATER 4

DRIVE MARKET CHANNEL OPTIMISATION 5

ENSURE ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE 6

CHAMPION A ‘SAFE & SUSTAINABLE’ PROPOSITION 7

Strategy Platform: Strategic Intent: Mission:

To grow our flexible, motivated and suitably skilled workforce

To promote the region’s strongest competitive advantage

To help businesses develop the channel mix appropriate to their business model

To ensure transport, energy and communication infrastructure is available and cost effective

To drive cultural change and adoption of new ideas that improve competitiveness

To build scale and efficiency at every level of the supply chain

To drive continuous improvement in on-farm efficiency and maximise returns from our water assets

To reposition Northern Victoria as a progressive and globally competitive food hub

FOOD OPPORTUNITY STRATEGY 2015-2018

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Aspirational Targets

1. Improved arrangements for seasonal workers 2. Improved uptake of agricultural training and

education within Northern Victoria 3. Reduced youth unemployment

PLATFORM 1: ADDRESS LABOUR AVAILABILITY AND SKILLS

STRATEGIC ACTIONS EXISTING ACTIONS/ INTITIATIVES

TASKS/ACTIVITIES REQUIRED TO ADDRESS GAPS

1.1 Advocate to Federal Government for labour policy that recognises the 24/7, temporary and seasonal nature of agrifood.

Industry sponsored ‘Paddock to Plate’ reform agenda.

1.1.1 Lobby to support skilled/semi-skilled visas, the seasonal workers program and working holiday visas.

1.1.2 Support recommendations from the Paddock to Plate Report (2014) in terms of labor reform.

1.2 Assist to improve connections between the regional education and training offer and the needs of agrifood businesses.

GV Skills Initiative Hume Region Workforce

Development Strategy Agrifood National Regional

Initiatives (Loddon Mallee)

1.2.1 Increase awareness of existing agrifood courses and careers amongst career counsellors.

1.2.2 Foster creation and sponsorship of more intern programs and agribusiness tertiary scholarships.

1.2.3 Promote existing training and education offers in Northern Victoria. 1.2.4 Support programs that encourage agribusinesses to invest in employee

up-skilling and education. 1.2.5 Establish an on-going dialogue between education institutions,

Registered Training Offices (RTO) and industry.

1.3 Support development of employer clusters that will create career opportunities and pathways.

Young Farmers Initiative

1.3.1 Seek funding for a pilot project to scope out forming employer clusters to identify training needs and responses, particularly with respect to apprenticeships and internships.

1.3.2 Facilitate delivery of information to farmers to help them improve leadership and employer skills.

1.4 Support educators to change the image of the agrifood sector and promote career opportunities.

Legendary Campaign Cows Create Careers Young Farmers Initiative

1.4.1 Continue to support initiatives that help educators to promote agrifood career opportunities for youth.

1.4.2 Promote rural and farming apprenticeships. 1.4.3 Work with youth agencies to identify opportunities to guide youth

unemployment.

1.5 Promote the appeal of living and working in Northern Victoria.

Hume Region Prospectus GVIEP - Providence initiative

1.5.1 Continue to participate in Victorian Regional Living Expo and establish a food industry booth.

1.5.2 Build awareness of the Harvest Trail initiative. 1.5.3 Assist in initiatives that promote seasonal working holidays to Australian

youth.

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1. Sustained improvement in on-

farm/manufacturing productivity. 2. Increase value-adding in the region through

supporting innovation and new product development.

PLATFORM 2: DRIVE INNOVATION & EFFICIENCY



2.1 Continue to implement initiatives on farms that enable productivity gains.

Growing Food and Fibre initiative 2.1.1 Build awareness of current government & industry research, development & education activity.

2.1.2 Develop case studies to highlight to farmers the impact new initiatives can have on productivity.

2.2 Help SME agribusinesses with training and support programs that build their financial capabilities, business skills and knowledge.

Dairy base Farm monitor

2.2.1 Develop a tailored program that supports building knowledge, business skills, financial management and benchmarking tools.

2.3 Promote the critical importance of innovation in the processing sector.

2.3.1 Further develop processes that assist businesses to navigate various grant schemes and application processes to support innovation.

2.3.2 Assist in bridging the cultural gap between research institutions and the processing sector.

2.4 Advocate to the Productivity Commission to reform national, state and local legislation to create red tape efficiencies.

Victoria’s Reform for On Farm Food Safety

Red Tape Commissioner EPA Victoria’s Red Tape Program

2.4.1 Work with industry to engage with the Red Tape Commissioner on legislative burdens.

2.4.2 Continue to work with all levels of government to identify areas of further red tape reduction.

2.4.3 Identify implementation options for recommendations reducing legislative duplication from existing reports i.e. Paddock to Plate Report.

2.5 Build capability to manage volatility, risk and business complexity.

Climate Tools Project 2.5.1 Partner with RD&E agencies to run sector-specific risk management seminars, focusing on how to manage adverse events such as climate, agricultural, market and financial risk.

2.6 Support industry cluster groups that facilitate knowledge sharing, mentoring and cultural change.

Young Farmers Dairy Network 2.6.1 Build cross collaboration networking across sectors within defined geographic areas.

2.7 Support the development of new and emerging industries.

2.71 Assist new industries to form support networks that foster leadership development and innovation.

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1. Attraction of greenfield business to the region. 2. Increased adoption of new agribusiness

models 3. Improved sustainability of existing businesses

PLATFORM 3: ATTRACT INVESTMENT



3.1

Build the profile of Northern Victoria as an attractive agrifood investment destination.

Hume Region Prospectus GVIEP - Providence Initiative

3.1.1 Develop an understanding of key barriers impacting regional investment.

3.1.2 Build industry-specific prospectus to assist with attracting investment.

3.1.3 Encourage Local Government Areas (LGA) to develop a collaborative regional framework for investment attraction.

3.1.4 Host events with investment community in the region. 3.2 Help businesses to become investment-

ready. 3.2.1 Develop a tailored program that supports knowledge building and

understanding of how businesses can become investment-ready.

3.2.2. Provide education activities to industry about attracting investment to support business expansion/consolidation.

3.2.3 Develop a ‘how-to’ kit for business investment attraction. 3.3 Build awareness of alternative farming

and agribusiness ownership models. 3.3.1 Build awareness of alternative farming and agribusiness ownership models

through creation of case studies, forums and education activities.

3.4 Promote innovative business models among family businesses to facilitate succession.

Murray Dairy Accelerating Change Project

Victorian Young Farmers Initiatives

3.4.1 Promote the availability of expert family business advice. 3.4.2 Up-skill service providers who assist with succession planning

and family business counseling. 3.4.3 Build awareness of need for long term business planning

program within family businesses. 3.4.4 Create a number of test pilots to support these initiatives.

3.5 Support businesses facing transitioning land use due to industry shift and necessary change in land use.

Flexible Forage Systems Project 3.5.1 Promote new enterprise opportunities and farming models through relevant field days and forums.

3.6 Promote the importance of continually reviewing effective and transparent planning schemes to respond to change and give greater certainty to businesses.

Rural land use strategies 3.6.1 Build capacity within LGAs to identify how planning schemes could help attract investment as part of their regular review – implement these findings.

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1. A transparent water policy that drives maximum water efficiency

2. Improved on-farm water efficiency

PLATFORM 4: MAXIMISE VALUE FROM WATER



4.1 Promote the importance of effective and transparent water policy, particularly with respect to delivery share, cancellation fees, carry over and environmental water holdings.

4.1.1 Package information into a toolkit that is easily understood and accessible.

4.1.2 Deliver relevant water education sessions and distribute toolkit. 4.1.3 Identify water policy implementation/compliance mechanisms that

may require further adjustment.

4.2 Continue to support programs for the adoption of on-farm water efficiency improvement.

Farm Water Program Goulburn-Murray Water Connections Program Victorian Farm Modernisation Project

4.2.1 Continue to attract funding to support programs driving on-farm efficiency.

4.2.2 Provide support/information for dry land cropping opportunities in Northern Victoria as land use transition continues.

4.3 Encourage investment in private irrigation schemes in areas outside of the GMID.

4.3.1 Support local irrigator groups to acquire funding for water efficiency measures.

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1. Improved success rate with new exporters. 2. Improved understanding of the need to match

business model with appropriate market channel.

PLATFORM 5: DRIVE MARKET CHANNEL OPTIMISATION



5.1 Assist businesses to match their business model to appropriate market channels.

GVIEP Industry-led market matching project

5.1.1 Develop a manual outlining the critical success factors and modus operandi required to trade within each market channel.

5.1.2 Advocate for programs and training courses that assist businesses to build skills needed to service other channels:

o agri-tourism offer/capability o regional farmers markets o on–line marketing capability o regional food service opportunities o regional independent supermarkets o others

5.1.3 Support growth of new and existing farmers markets to broaden the network across metro and regional markets.

5.2 Assist capable businesses to become export-ready.

GVIEP Industry-led marketing project Austrade International Readiness

Checklist Austrade EMDG grants

5.2.1 Collaborate with Austrade and/or VECCI to develop training programs tailored to new agrifood exporters.

5.2.2 Promote Austrade’s International Readiness checklist and EMDG grants in Northern Victoria.

5.2.3 Connect new exporters with brokerage platforms such as VECCI’s. 5.2.4 Connect exporters with Austrade and Victorian governments in-market

export offices.

5.3 Reinforce with Federal Government the need to reform competition policy in relation to domestic grocery channels.

5.3.1 Identify priority reform areas. 5.3.2 Develop a communications/industry briefing message for use in

advocating to Federal Government.

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1. Reduced energy costs to business. 2. More efficient freight movement and reduced

transport costs. 3. Regional communications equal to capital cities. 4. Northern Victoria is an exemplar in renewable

energy.

PLATFORM 6: ENSURE ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE



6.1 Identify priority areas where gas and electricity connectivity, cost and capacity is limiting investment.

Victoria’s Energy Statement 6.1.1 Undertake a study to identify priority areas where lack of power connectivity is restricting investment.

6.1.2 Determine highest priorities and options to addressing shortcomings and advocate for support.

6.2 Champion the renewable

energy credentials of Northern Victoria.

Community Solar Initiative Renewable Energy Target

6.2.1 Support LGA initiatives to attract investment in renewable energy. 6.2.2 Actively encourage increased adoption of renewable energy. 6.2.3 Promote energy co-generation in processing. 6.2.4 Continue to promote opportunities for other renewable energy

solutions.

6.3 Advocate for reforms to energy pricing policy.

Victoria’s Energy Statement priorities: o Energy affordability o Activating network tariff reform

Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Scheme

6.3.1 Highlight examples where energy pricing policies are negatively impacting businesses, as a basis for advocating for change.

6.3.2 Raise awareness of the need to assure fuel security and price stability in order to sustain the agrifood sector long term.

6.4 Assess adequacy of existing transport infrastructure to meet current and future needs.

Northern Victoria Regional Transport Study Central Murray Regional Transport Study Greater Shepparton Freight and Land Use

Study Murray Basin Freight Demand and

Infrastructure Study Railing Ahead Issues and Opportunities Report

6.4.1 Work with local government and industry to map supply chain routes for key industry sectors.

6.4.2 Prioritise investment that supports increased freight efficiency, including first and last mile considerations.

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6.4 MAV – Hume Region Planning for Freight Pilot Linking Victoria VicRoads Victoria's arterial bridges – critical links for

transport efficiency

6.5 Advocate for improved efficiency on our freight, rail and road networks.

Victoria the Freight State action plan high productivity freight vehicles – moving more with less port future mode shift incentive scheme

6.5.1 Work with industry and local government to: o Plan, develop and maintain upgrades on the Principal

Freight Network, including first and last mile local road and rail capacity upgrades.

o Implement the roll out of cubic HPFVs and identify future priorities for heavier “mass” HPFV access.

6.5.2 Upgrade and maintain key supply chains to support higher productivity freight vehicles. 6.5.3 Work with all levels of government to prioritise and fund infrastructure improvements to the rail network to support increased rail efficiency (e.g. increased axle loadings).

6.6 Support continued reform of state and national road transport policy.

Initial heavy vehicle investment and access reform measures are being investigated by jurisdictions, including Victoria through the COAG process

6.6.1 Support local government applications for Commonwealth and State funding to support improved freight efficiency.

6.6.2 Support all levels of government and industry to trial new measures to deliver new and/or upgraded infrastructure to support the use of more productive freight vehicles.

6.6.3 Work collaboratively with interstate road and rail agencies and local government to improve consistency and continuity of cross boarder policy.

6.7 Support continued integration of land use and transport planning.

Hume Regional Growth Plan Hume Regional Strategic Plan Loddon Mallee Regional Growth Plans (North

and South) Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan (North

and South) Local Council – Municipal Strategic Statements Mobile Black Spot program

6.7.1 Continue to identify strategic freight precincts and links in northern Victoria and develop strategies to protect them.

6.7.2 Work with local government and other government agencies to ensure transport planning, infrastructure and services align with land use planning directives.

Platform 6 continued

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6.9 Advocate for equitable pricing for broadband.

6.9.1 Investigate impact of current broadband pricing options on Northern Victorian agrifood producers. 6.9.2 Identify where lack of broadband/mobile connectivity access is negatively impacting on business compared to other areas. 6.9.3 Facilitate greater uptake of broadband by agrifood businesses through provision of information and training for digital-readiness.

Platform 6 continued

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1. The frameworks to support safe and sustainable Victorian products are protected.

2. Industry understands the importance of defending our food proposition.

PLATFORM 7: CHAMPION THE ‘SAFE & SUSTAINABLE’ PROPOSITION

STRATEGIC ACTIONS EXISTING ACTIONS/ INITIATIVES


7.1 Advocate to ensure regional priorities are heard in market access negotiations.

7.1.1 Develop communications briefing message for use in advocacy and negotiations.

7.1.2 Ensure relevant industry bodies/groups understand and promote key messages.

7.2 Maintain Northern Victoria’s reputation for safe, quality and ethically produced food.

7.2.1 Build upon existing industry initiatives to continually improve product quality and integrity.

7.2.2 Promote within industry the need for investment to produce premium quality agrifood products as Northern Victoria’s point of competitive advantage.

7.2.3 Mediate to balance the need for food safety regulation against excessive bureaucracy.

7.3 Raise awareness of the economic necessity to manage fruit fly.

7.3.1 Continue to build awareness of the importance of fruit fly management via a range of education engagement activities targeting industry and general public.

7.4 Promote the importance of the Northern Victorian agrifood sector to the State economy.

Hume Region Prospectus 7.4.1 Continue to improve economic data and investment information and ensure it is easily accessible to industry.

7.4.2 Advocate for more Victorian-made products in government food purchases.

7.5 Advocate to ensure that imported product is subjected to the same safety testing standards as local produce.

Health Purchasing Victoria purchasing review

SPC Victorian Food Procurement Request

7.5.1 Advocate for reverse residue testing in imported fresh foods.

Implementation

As already noted, the intention is that this plan be delivered through collaboration between the three tiers of government and industry with a lead agency nominated to champion strategic actions.

Suggested steps to support implementation of this action plan are:

• Development of an agreed implementation framework taking into account geographic locations and existing structures.

• Determine if establishment of an overarching advisory committees based on geographic locations is feasible with representation from all levels of government and key industries ie dairy, horticulture, grains and red meat.

• Identify champion/lead organisations or agencies to oversee relevant strategy platform and associated actions and initiatives recognizing who is leading key work already underway or about to commence.

• Determine level of resourcing support from relevant champion/lead organisations.

• Creation of a performance tracking framework and process that involves lead agencies and a simple monitoring process.

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Legend of Acronyms

AFSA Agrifood Skills Australia CMA Catchment Management Authority CMTF Central Murray Transport Forum COAG Council of Australian Governments DEECD Department of Education and Early Childhood Development DELWP Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning DEDJTR Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources FBA Family Business Australia FTA Fair Trade Agreement GMW Goulburn Murray Water GVTC Goulburn Valley Transition Committee GVSWPSC Goulburn Valley Skills and Workforce Participation Sub Committee GVIEP Goulburn Valley Industry and Employment Plan HRDA Hume Regional Development Australia HRTG Hume Region Transport Group HPV Health Purchasing Victoria HWDC Hume Workforce Development Committee LGA Local Government Area LM RDA Loddon Mallee Regional Development Australia MAV Municipal Association of Victoria MD Murray Dairy NHVR National Heavy Vehicle Regulator RDA Regional Development Australia RDV Regional Development Victoria RIRDC Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation RMS Road & Maritime Services RTO Registered Training Organisation SME Small Medium Enterprise SV Sustainability Victoria

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Documents

NORTHERN VICTORIAN FOOD OPPORTUNITY STRATEGY and … · 2019. 8. 16. · Volume 1: Situation Analysis Volume 2: Strategy Volume 3: Action Plan. This document, Volume 3 Action Plan,