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Sydney sells off the farm
22 Aug 2003
Sydney's residential real estate boom is threatening the city's billion-dollar agriculture industry, with hundreds of farms being enveloped by housing developments. Rural land is being subdivided, making farmers re-evaluate the viability of their properties, many of which are now in the middle of residential developments.
The Sydney Agricultural, Rural and Public Lands Trust has been set up for farmers who want to protect and preserve agricultural land. The trust held its first meeting last week and already has more than 1,500 members. President Dennis Merchant launched the trust with the support of people living in Hawkesbury, Baulkham Hills and Hornsby. The trust opposes urban sprawl and will lobby councils on land subdivision and re-zoning issues.
Over the past four years 10.5 per cent of agricultural land in Sydney, from Picton to the Blue Mountains and Wyong, has been taken over by suburban development. Agriculture in Sydney is worth $1 billion a year and employs 11 per cent of the state's agricultural workforce. Up to 12 per cent of NSW's agricultural production is grown in this region.
The Daily Telegraph, 22/8/03.
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