Barossa and surrounds will benefit from a $100,000 State Government funding boost to help kick-start a number of projects that promote the importance of value-adding opportunities in the food and wine sectors in the region.
The grant to the Barossa Collaboration will complement the $50,000 allocated jointly by the Barossa and Light Regional Councils, through the Barossa RDA, to undertake an industry analysis to identify and address short, medium and long-term barriers for growth in business.
Barossa Council chief executive officer Martin McCarthy said the industry analysis work will include advancing current planning around opportunities for an effective Regional Planning Board, and regional governance structure.
The Barossa Collaboration comprises representatives from Tourism Barossa, Barossa Food, Barossa Grape and Wine, the Barossa RDA, Light Regional and Barossa Council and is chaired by Barossa businessperson, Ms Jan Angas.
Over the past month, the Collaboration has been working with the Member for Light Tony Piccolo to prepare an application for funding.
Mr Piccolo facilitated a series of roundtable discussions with the Collaboration members to bring together a range of ideas that could be developed into a series of projects that would deliver real outcomes on the ground.
Mr McCarthy said the Barossa Council recognised the potential of this joint project from the outset, and has been working collaborative alongside the State Government, wine, tourism, food and arts industry representatives, RDA Barossa and Light Regional Council to develop an agreed project and seek funding to address opportunities aligned with the Character Preservation area to drive economic development.
“We are confident this project will unlock economic growth potential and create economic benefit in the character preservation area including the food, wine, tourism sectors, and we welcome the State Government’s leadership to progress the next phase of this regional initiative,” Mr McCarthy said.
Mr Piccolo said the Barossa Collaboration stakeholders recognised complementary relationships exist between the region’s key industry sectors and the tourism industry.
“The Barossa wine industry is recognised to be globally competitive,” he said.
“In supporting this position of economic strength, the continued development of the regional food and culinary tourism industries are anticipated to deliver greater economic returns to the region than the sum of its parts.
“In addition, development of the creative arts sector is anticipated to further complement these sectors.”
The combined funds, with additional in-kind support from the two councils, will undertake the following projects:
Review of planning and licensing regulations applicable to artisan food production. Further development of the Barossa “Trust Mark” brand.
The development of a “Barossa Prospectus” to attract investment in small and start-up food ventures , and creative arts ventures .
Assessment of the effectiveness of the forthcoming “Be Consumed” Melbourne event as a Marketing and industry development tool.
Investigation into the establishment of a project of “culinary excellence”.
Local Government initiated rate limiter initiative.
Collaboration Chair, Ms Jan Angas said support for this collaboration enables the bringing together of state and local governing bodies to advance opportunity and encourage development.
“The Barossa brand values will provide a filter for business growth, attraction of new businesses and more employment leading to deliver an economic return from the Barossa Character Preserve legislation 2012,” Ms Angas said.
Barossa RDA chief executive officer Ms Anne Moroney said support for value adding promotes the credentials of the Barossa, and ultimately the SA, food industries.
“Premium Food and wine is rightly a South Australian priority and Barossa is recognised as the international category leader,” Ms Moroney said. “Ultimately, all regions will benefit from this.”
Barossa Food chair Michael Wohlsdadt said the projects indicate the government is serious about food and supporting peri urban agriculture.
“The package contains timely and worthwhile initiatives that will encourage investment and jobs,” Mr Wohlsdadt said.
Barossa Grape and Wine Association chief executive officer Mr James March said the support of the State Government in this manner would enable local culinary tourism and wine sectors to develop both capability and capacity.
“This will leave an enduring legacy of Barossa, and ultimately the State of South Australia, well positioned to compete in a global Marketplace,” he said.
Tourism Barossa Chair Mr Chris Pfeiffer believes the Barossa Trust Mark will be able to dedicate this funding to fast track building the profile for what is a unique Mark created to show customers the value of Barossa produce, products and experiences.