Northern Rivers Food Links project

Phase one of the Northern Rivers Food Links is now nearing completion with the draft business plan sent to DEECW in October. We anticipate a response from the funding agency by the end of this year.

Phase two - implementation stage - will commence in early 2010, with the first round of funding due for payment in May 2010.

Please check this website regularly for project updates

Thank you to all those who continue to support and be interested in this exciting project.

About the Northern Rivers Food Links Project

Background

The local councils in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales have received a grant of approximately $2m from the NSW Environmental Trust for a 3 year project called Northern Rivers Food Links.

Project aim

The project aims to future proof the Northern Rivers urban communities against the impacts of Climate Change and Peak Oil by addressing the environmental impacts of food supply chains locally.

Project description

The project will :

assist the local government to build capacity and develop the skills, resources and tools needed to support urban agriculture
increase community education on links between sustainability and buying local
increase links between organic waste recycling and nutrient harvesting for soil health
reduce organic waste and landfill
enhance food literacy and healthy lifestyles
support a reduction of transportation and petrol costs associated with food supply
reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the food distribution systems
increase social connectedness and community resilience, and
develop better connections between the region’s growers and consumers.

Project Stage One

Stage One of the project was launched on 18 June 2009. Sam Muller of Muller Enterprises and consultants Bruce Thomson, Ruth Johnstone and Robert Rosen are developing a Business Plan in consultation with the community, industry and local government. A range of projects will also be identified during this process for Stage Two.

The team will work closely with key stakeholders, government and non-government agencies to facilitate and write a business plan with clear sustainability based actions for the regions.

Stage Two will commence in 2010 is the implementation of the business plan over two years where funding will be allocated to projects that meet the Northern Rivers Food Links sustainability criteria.

Project Objectives

equip local government with the multilevel planning resources to facilitate the development and continued support of urban agriculture and locally based food systems
strengthen the capacity of local government to deliver on greenhouse gas and waste reduction targets
close nutrient and waste cycles through supporting the growth of sustainable food systems
investigate barriers to sustainability and develop a co-ordinated approach that can be used as a model fro addressing other sustainability issues that the region will face with the challenges of climate change and peak oil
strengthen the Northern Rivers local economy through the development of sustainable food supply system
facilitate the ongoing development of project partners to deliver local food and industry development strategies
increase social connectedness by reconnecting Northern Rivers urban communities with regional food production capability.

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