Ballina Shire Council joins food-focused project
Ballina Shire is one of seven Northern Rivers councils which have received a grant of $2 million from the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change for a regional food-focused project known as the Northern Rivers Food Links.
The project will look at sustainable practices and linkages in food production, distribution, consumption and waste management.
Officially launched last week at Southern Cross University Lismore, the Northern Rivers Food Links project aims to protect urban communities from the social and environmental impacts of climate change by developing collaborative approaches to sustainable food systems in the region.
Free community consultation sessions will be held at:
Tweed Shire, Murwillumbah, Murwillumbah RSL Club, Woolumbin Room, 29th June 5pm – 6.30pm
Ballina Shire ,Ballina Richmond Room, Regatta Ave, 30th June 12.30pm – 2pm
Lismore City, Lismore, Lismore City Hall, Fountain Room, 30th June 4pm – 5.30pm
Kyogle, Kyogle KMI, Supper Room, 1st July, 10am – 11.30am
Richmond Valley, Casino, RSM Club, Jupiter Room, 1st July, 3pm – 4.30pm
Clarence Valley, Grafton, Grafton Community & Function Centre Green Room, 2nd July, 1pm – 2.30pm
Byron Shire, Mullumbimby, Council Conference Room, 3rd July, 1pm – 2.30pm
At the Southern Cross University launch last week, the steering committee and project partners announced the appointment of their consultancy team for the first stage of the project that entails the development of a business plan to guide to project’s delivery.
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.
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.
For more details on the project and consultation process, contact:
Sam Muller, Lead Consultant
Mobile : 0438 384 105
Email: sam@mullerenterprise.com.au
