A REPORT by Food and Fibre Great South Coast has revealed that south-west Victoria’s food and fibre sector could add $40 million worth of value to the local economy by increasing its agricultural water usage by 10 per cent.

Southern Grampians Shire partnered with other local councils including Moyne Shire, Warrnambool City, Corangamite Shire, and with Deakin University and Wannon Water for the commissioned report by the business advisory firm BDO EconSearch.

The report found that an increase in irrigation and water efficiency across the local food and fibre producers’ network would also unlock employment and financial opportunities in all sectors of the regional economy.

Food and Fibre Great South Coast executive officer, Natalie Collard said understanding the added value of smarter water use is invaluable to the region’s future.

“It’s wonderful to know that improving the efficiency of our water use would not only yield better production outcomes for the region, but also improve the lives of households and families in a very real way,” she said.

“We’re now targeting a 10 per cent increase to productive water use across industries like dairy, horticulture and livestock.

“That’s estimated to bring about some $40m in economic growth per year across the region.

“Boosting production through better irrigation would also create an estimated 400 new full-time equivalent jobs by increasing demand for livestock management, local production activity, and manufacturing support.

“The research tells us that means an added $21.7m to household incomes, growing local consumption and wellbeing.

“This report confirms what we’ve always known – the entire region thrives when food and fibre thrive.”

Ms Collard said that understanding the future of the region’s food and fibre sector is vitally important to policy decisions and investment, demonstrated by the local government and community contribution to this research.

“It’s great to see reports like this funded by local councils, as well as groups like Deakin University and Wannon Water,” she said.

“This support proves that stakeholders are ready to invest in growing our industry and wider community wellbeing.

“We’ll now be working hard with leaders in farming and industry to ensure this 10 per cent increase target can be achieved sustainably.

“We’re confident we’ll make it happen together.”

Food and Fibre Great South Coast has long held the view that its role is to uplift the whole Great South Coast region through sustainably growing food and fibre.

Through its ‘Realising the Water Opportunity’ committee, the organisation prioritises sustainable water management, monitoring and usage as a key strategic pillar.

Deakin University South West Victoria chief executive officer, Grant Sutherland, said the report not only validated the importance but also highlighted the significant opportunities for future, ongoing growth of this sector which then benefited other sectors across the local economy.

“Deakin University was pleased to collaborate with other stakeholders in the region to support the preparation of this report as food and fibre is a such a key sector in the region,” Mr Sutherland said.

“Deakin is keen to play its role in achieving this success for the region.”

Moyne Shire Council chief executive officer, Bill Millard, said food and fibre was critical for Moyne Shire, with more than 37 per cent of its residents employed in the sector.

“This research shows that by making better use of water resources in a responsible way, we can create hundreds of new jobs and unlock tens of millions of dollars’ worth of economic activity while still ensuring sustainability of the water supply,” he said.

“Moyne Shire Council strongly supports changes to make better use of water, to create jobs and provide an economic boost for the entire region.”

Find out more about Food and Fibre Great South Coast’s efforts to bring about this water opportunity by visiting southcoastfoodfibre.com.au/platform/strategic-platform-realise-the-water-opportunity/.