OBJECTIVE — Provide opportunities for key businesses established in the ACT to grow further

Agricultural and forestry industries are recognised as assets for the ACT and surrounding NSW and elements of the local economy that provide opportunities for further growth of related businesses.

Agricultural industry and forestry

The rural lands within the ACT provide a distinctive landscape setting for the urban areas while the rural businesses located in these areas contribute to the local and regional economy. While softwood plantations close to urban areas will not be replaced following the January 2003 bushfires, softwood plantations west of the Murrumbidgee River will remain part of the non-urban area of the ACT, as will those in the Kowen area until urban development occurs on the Plateau.

Policy response

• The whole of the area west of the Murrumbidgee will continue to be managed as the key non-urban setting for the city of Canberra.
• The non-urban areas of the ACT will continue to be used and managed in a manner that recognises the important natural landscape assets such as remnant native vegetation, including woodlands.
• Agriculture and forestry will be supported in areas where sustainability principles are met.

Actions

• Further investigate and identify the range of uses that would be compatible with, and safeguard, agricultural industries including forestry and the landscape setting of the national capital.
• Further investigate the capability, suitability and sustainability of uses within the non-urban areas west of the Murrumbidgee River, consistent with the Government’s response to Shaping Our Territory.

Outcomes

• Adequate opportunities for the agricultural industry to grow.
• Retention of substantial agricultural areas as part of Canberra’s landscape setting.

Monitoring indicators

• The amount of land (hectares) used for agricultural and forestry purposes.
• Contribution of agricultural activities (including forestry) to Gross State Product.