Agribusiness
Agribusiness Working Group
The City of Victor Harbor has acknowledged the importance of the agribusiness sector to the future prosperity of the local community. Council are seeking to be better informed about the challenges and opportunities that are affecting local producers and those in the agribusiness sector.
The Council have established an Agribusiness Working Group that reports to Council on matters related to Agribusiness, Primary Production and Rural Affairs.
The group continue to focus on issues such as long term water security, accessibility to a regional abattoir supporting service works and improved engagement with government agencies.
Meeting generally occur on a monthly basis. Further information on the functions of the group can be found here Advisory and Working Groups.
Valuer General's Revaluation Initiative
The City of Victor Harbor has been advised that the South Australian Government's Office of the Valuer General is undertaking a Revaluation Initiative.
The City of Victor Harbor adopts and uses the capital valuations provided by the Office of the Valuer General (OVG) for the calculation and setting of council rates each year. The role of the OVG is to provide fair and equitable valuations for properties in South Australia in accordance with the Valuation of Land Act 1971.
The Revaluation Initiative involves a comprehensive review of the data which forms the basis of the General Valuation. The project is being delivered over a staged approach, with stage two including Primary Production and Rural Living Properties within the City of Victor Harbor Council area. The valuations of these properties are currently being reviewed in preparation for the financial year 2020/21.
Council is not yet aware of the impact on individual property valuations, however wanted to make sure that ratepayers who may be effected are informed. We will be working with the OVG in the coming months to identify the impact on our ratepayers.
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions relating to this project.
Questions can be directed to the Office of the Valuer General by calling 1300 653 345.
The Council will provide updates to affected property owners as we receive information from the OVG. These updates will also be available on our website.
Agribusiness Survey
The 2020 Agribusiness Survey assisted the City of Victor Harbor to better understand the challenges and opportunities affecting its agribusiness sector. Some of the results achieved from conducting the survey include:
- Significant reduction of Blackberry, Gorse and Briar Rose on roadsides with follow up controls now occurring
- A targeted focus on African Love Grass and Cape Tulip on roadsides with follow up controls now occurring
- A number of local farmers seminars on issues impacting agribusiness
- Positive working relations with government agencies including NRM/DEW/PIRSA
- A report that identifies that Agribusiness contributes $39 million dollars to the Victor Harbor economy annually.
The data collected from this survey is helping Council measure the impact of this investment, and also provide important information about the sector’s future priorities to assist with Council’s future planning.
2020 Agribusiness Survey - Key Findings Report
This is the second survey of this nature that Council has undertaken with the support of its Agribusiness Working Group. The previous survey was undertaken in 2017 and reached over 450 local rural landowners.
2017 Agribusiness Survey - Key Findings Report
Roadside Weed Program 2019/20
Council through advice from the Agribusiness Working Group have committed funds to continue the roadside weed control program this financial year, with a continued focus on weeds impacting local farming enterprises.
Late in 2019 on-ground work will focus on following up previous treatments of blackberry, gorse and briar (or dog) rose. In addition to this there is a heavy focus on treating cape tulip and african love grass where it exists.
Landholders seeking advice on the treatment of weeds can contact the Natural Resource Management Board on 08 8550 3400.
Local Farmers Seminars
A series of Local Farmers Seminars are being planned to further support the Agribusiness sector.
Sessions and dates to be advised once confirmed.
Rural Landholders Handbook
Rural landholders and farmers in the City of Victor Harbor will be given an extra helping hand with the 2020 release of the Rural Living Handbook that provides helpful information and guidance for settling into life in the district.
The handbook provides new and prospective rural landholders with advice and guidance on the various aspects of managing rural property while providing references to support and assistance that is available to help new or new to the area property owners with embracing life on the land.