IntroductionThe Great South Coast’s Food and Fibre Industry is the powerhouse in Victoria’s food and fibre sector with the largest exports of sheep and beef meat, wool and milk products. Animal industries in this region fuel and drive the agricultural output and indeed the export and processing industries for the State in milk, with meat and wool close behind.

In 2014–15, the gross value of agricultural production in the Great South Coast region was $2.4 billion, which was 19 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in Victoria ($13.1 billion). Victoria provides ~ 25% of Australia gross rural output.Animal industries have a long history in the region having developed to being the best in class with high quality genetics, production capability second to none and with a predominantly export focus.

The ProposalProposal is to establish in The Great South Coast Region the:“Australian Animal & Aquatics Centre of Excellence”

This centre would be created around Warrnambool. There will be linkages to the export Port at Portland and this hub approach will capitalise on the diversity, expertise and export performance of the current animal based industries and centres around our GSC towns of Colac and Hamilton.

In line with Federal and State policy to encourage decentralisation away from capital cities to build regions, this proposal will involve locating federal decision makers where the action is. Along with the economic impetus this relocation will create across the region there will be a capacity build of expertise that will unlock more of the latent growth potential in the GSC’s animal and aquaticindustries.

• This will involve the transferring out of capital cities, particularly Canberra, parts of the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources animal health, aquatic and

biosecurity departments. This will include, animal and aquatic biosecurity (import and Export), Animal and Aquaculture Policy, Food export accreditation and supervision and development of International protocols, agreements.

• This Centre of Excellence for aquatic health and aquaculture could be built around our regions capacity and reputation in aquatics and aquaculture.

• This will become the food export centre for policy development, certification of our export food industries and control of animal food exports from processing. In fact the centre for all management and certification of export and import of prescribed and non prescribed foods.

• There is the commercial potential embedded within this proposal for the creation of a centre of excellence with a commercial and trade focus on the Export, Import and Development of our highly marketable genetics from across our diverse animal production industries. This has the potential to be “a one stop shop” to the globe for the best animal genetics that Australia and this region has to offer.

• This will provide a shopfront for overseas customers wanting our superior genetics and as an avenue for our commercial producers to reach the world to offer the superior genetics we have.

Food and Fibre Action Plan - Realising the Opportunity

Great South Coast Food and Fibre Council - Great South Coast - August 2017Antony Ford

Federal Departments Animal BiosecurityThe Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer (OCVO) and Biosecurity Animal Division facilitate the development of national policies and strategies and the provision of scientific advice to minimise the potential impacts of diseases on Australia’s animal health.Biosecurity - agriculture.gov.au/biosecurityGeelong LaboratoryRegions Specialty in Livestock – Sheep – wool & meat, Beef, Dairy

Aquatic Animal HealthAquatic animals, like terrestrial animals and humans, can be affected by infectious diseases, which may be caused by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and parasites. Infection and disease in aquatic animals is normal, but can become severe under certain conditions. Such conditions can include the introduction of new diseases to a population; or conditions that promote disease, such as host animal stress.http://agriculture.gov.au/animal/aquatic

Biosecurity and International protocols regarding Marine Animal pest incursionTo protect our marine environment and industries, the Australian and state/territory governments, along with marine industries and marine scientists are implementing Australia’s National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions (the National System)agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/marine-pests

Exporting Live Animals and Genetic materialLive animal exports include commercial livestock species, companion and assistance animals, horses, and genetic material.agriculture.gov.au/export/controlled-goods/live-animalsGreat South Coast –Portland (Dairy, Sheep)Genetic exports – Chrome, Total Livestock Genetics

Food and Fibre Action Plan - Realising the Opportunity

Animal HealthAustralia’s state and territory governments have primary responsibility for animal welfare and laws to prevent cruelty. The Australian Government is responsible for trade and international agreements relating to animal welfare.We work with exporters to maintain international export standards.Geelong and Werribee

Controlled export Goods (prescribed)Dairy products , Eggs and egg products, Fish and fish productsNon- PrescribedNon-prescribed goods are all other goods. These include, but are not limited to, animal by-products, wool, skins and hides, inedible blood, rendered meats, pet food, processed foods, honey, cosmetics, nutritional supplements and rendered fats and oils. Some products fall into unexpected categories; for example, icecream is deemed to be a non-prescribed good rather than a dairy product.Dairy exporters (WCB, Fonterra, MG

Exporting meat and meat productsThe Export Meat Program provides inspection, verification and certification services to the export meat industry in Australiaagriculture.gov.au/export/controlled-goods/meatMidfield - Largest Independent meat processor

Agriculture and FoodThe department develops policy and provides services to improve the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and related industries. Region in Adoption of genetics and farm BP programs Dairy, Wool, FoodLargest Dairy Industry – Large Milk Processors and ExportersLarge Beef & Sheep and exporters

Compelling ReasonsThere are a number of compelling reasons that underpin the Proposal:-

• This is an area with the “strongest diversified animal focus” across Australia• Close to grass roots agriculture as you can get in a large production and export zone for dairy, meat, wool, live export and genetics export.• Number 1 area for Agriculture production output in Victoria and 3rd in the Country, with 82% of the GSC’s production coming from

diversified animal production with the region having highest export performance in Victoria for processed dairy and meat products and when forest fibre is included the largest exporter of any single region.

• Over 83% of direct private land ownership used for Agriculture with the Capacity to grow volume output of food through intensification and productivity gains.

• The best and and most developed pool of animal genetics in Australia in Dairy, Sheep for wool and meat and Beef cattle.• Access and Location to Regions is no longer an impediment to decentralisation, in the digital age, with conferencing and

communication in real time now a given.• Proximity of animal health laboratories in Geelong.• COE would become a showcase and “Shop Window” to the world for Australian animal genetics (both live and genetic material).• Deep water port with track record in export of livestock with existing arrangements around biosecurity and export protocols in place.• Home to successful and Iconic food exporters in Dairy and Meat.• Home to a significant number of successful producers of superior genetics presently exporting.• Existing facilities to be used with significant infrastructure capacity available at higher education institutions in the region.• World class research expertise in the area of aquaculture and aquatics• Significant commercial aquaculture production in abalone within the region• Wool scourers and wool textile operation in the region and adjoining region.• Huge history as a wool producing and trading hub for Australia.

Food and Fibre Action Plan - Realising the Opportunity

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• Highest level of private land ownership (farms) in Victoria

• 6 Highly Productive shires with wealth built around Food and Fibre Production

MilkCattle and calvesSheep and lambs

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PoultryHay

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500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Value of agricultural production, Victoria, 2014-15

Gross value ($m)

In 2014-15, the gross value of agricultural production in Victoria was $13.1 billion, which was 25 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in Australia ($53.6 billion). Animal industries in Victoria contribute 7.4 billion

GSC

Great South Coast Food and Fibre Output 2014-15

In 2014-15, the gross value of agricultural production in the Great South Coast region was $2.4 billion, which was 19 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in Victoria ($13.1 billion). Animal industries together contributed 82 per cent of the total value of agricultural production in the region.

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WheatWool

PoultryHay

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200 400 600 800 1000 1200Gross value ($m)

Food and Fibre Action Plan - Realising the Opportunity

Warrnambool is a vibrant and dynamic city of 34,000 people and is among the top fastest growing regional cities in Victoria. The city’s enviable mix of seaside location, tourism and family appeal, manicured streets and employment opportunities have seen the renowned My Business magazine place Warrnambool into the top 25 most liveable locations in Australia, for two consecutive years.

Warrnambool is a great choice for those considering making the change from city to rural living. It is your ‘city away from the big city’, a place where you can find the best of metropolitan living with a country flavour.

Located approximately 270 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, Warrnambool is Victoria’s only regional coastal city. The city has daily rail services to and from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station. The journey to or from Melbourne takes approximately 3 hours via the Princes or Hamilton Highways. Public transport operates within the city.

The city is a great place to raise a family. It offers an extensive range of top class education with a choice of 9 kindergartens, 11 primary schools and 4 secondary colleges, as well as a campus of Deakin University and South West Institute of TAFE. Working parents will have an option of using one of the eight of the city’s childcare centres, both government and private, as well as an accredited family day care network.

The fresh sea air and relaxed ambience of Warrnambool make for a healthy lifestyle. This is backed up by premium health care, including two major public and private hospitals providing comprehensive general and specialist services, the recently opened Warrnambool (Epworth) Cancer Centre, a good choice of aged care facilities, and a well-developed network of general practitioners, allied health specialists and community health services.

Warrnambool’s busy shopping plazas attract shoppers from all over the region. The ever expanding variety of shops, from major stores such as Bunnings, BCF, Target, K-mart and Harris Scarfe, to brand fashion retailing and speciality shops will leave few retail desires unmet. And there is always a great selection of restaurants and cafes to choose from whether you want a quick snack, a business lunch, a romantic dinner, or a family outing.The country charm of Warrnambool lies in its magical mix of beach and coastline, heritage attractions and magnificent natural setting, while the Great Ocean Road and Port Fairy is only half an hour away.

More and more families are finding their dream in Warrnambool, where the Great Australian Dream comes to life. House prices are well below those in Melbourne with a median house price in Warrnambool of $325,000, while the prices for rental properties for a family (3 BR house) start at approximately $300 per week. Not only will you get more space and a better house for your money, prices are appreciating steadily due to a strong demand.