Food and Fibre Great South Coast acknowledges that our region is on the traditional lands, waterways and skies of the Peek Whurrong, Kirrae Whurrung, Gunditjmara, Eastern Maar Nations, Jardwadjali, Boandik, Djab Wurrun and Buandig people.
We recognise the important ongoing role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have in our community and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
Food & Fibre Great South Coast Inc. is searching for a dynamic leader to further its important work in the Great South Coast region.
Chair, Georgina Gubbins, said the recent retirement of Executive Officer Tony Ford has opened up a unique opportunity to drive the organisation, which aims to increase the value and capacity of the region’s food & fibre industry, the largest driver of GDP in the region.
“Over the past three years we have been working to increase value across and up the region’s supply chains; remove capacity constraints that are impediments to growth and investment; and provide capacity into the future through affirmative action in areas including providing a skilled workforce, highlighting career pathways in food & fibre to our young people, and advocating for the right policy settings that support growth of our sectors, public investment in the region, and regulations that are fit-for-purpose for the region,” Ms Gubbins said.
“Our efforts have resulted in millions of dollars worth of increased production in the region; but there is so much more to do. With the region’s reliable rainfall and rich soils, we have an economic and social imperative to grow our food & fibre output, to deliver prosperity, jobs and stronger communities,” she said.
Ms Gubbins said the organisation is the only voice in the Great South Coast that speaks for all food & fibre sectors, across the whole region.
“We know that by fostering best practice and driving change through the promotion of cutting edge technology, encouraging entrepreneurship and promoting the exciting opportunities that exist in red meat production, wool, dairy, cropping, aquaculture and forestry, we will not only succeed in reversing the negative perceptions of agriculture in our communities and wider afield, but we will also entice more young people to explore the vast array of opportunities that exist in our food & fibre industries”
Ms Gubbins said some of the organisations biggest wins in their short history include freeing up water trading boundaries and encouraging water trading; advocating for the proposed Powercor three phase power upgrades in the region; partnering with key industry groups to deliver annual innovation showcases; increasing the uptake of new technology and educating local producers on best-practice; and the development of a current and dynamic E-Prospectus outlining the region’s numerous competitive advantages and showcasing local industry leaders to attract new investment into the region, and encourage business transition.
“We are now looking for a strategically focused and energetic individual to continue the work we
have started, to con????nue to advocate for the removal of constraints to industry growth, including infrastructure upgrades, fit-for-purpose regulations and access to the Dilwyn aquifer,” Ms Gubbins said.
Ms Gubbins said the successful applicant will be required to collaborate with research partners to investigate alternative high-value land use, new agribusiness models, and value-adding opportunities; champion career opportunities and increase the number of new entrants to the sector and “generally create interest and excitement around food & fibre in the wider community, promoting innovation and career diversity.”
“We want to see our local industry equipped and ready for an exciting and profitable future, with a trained and motivated workforce at the ready, with skill sets compatible to the whole supply chain,” Ms Gubbins said.
“We want to encourage efficient and responsible stewardship of our valuable natural resources for future generations of producers, and see wide-spread use of innovative technology and best-practice to increase efficiencies and scale.
“Through this, we aim for national recognition of the Great South Coast as the food & fibre powerhouse that it is” she said.
For more information email info@southcoastfoodfibre.com.au. Applications close Friday 17th July 2020.
– ENDS –
Media enquires:
Jane Young
Project Officer
Ph: 0459 149 280
