New report calls for residential development freeze to save farmers in Virginia and the Northern Adelaide Plains

A FREEZE on residential development beyond what is outlined in the State Government's 30 Year Plan is needed for farmers around Virginia, a new report says.

A FREEZE on residential development beyond what is outlined in the State Government's 30 Year Plan for Adelaide's northern food bowl is needed to help farmers, according to a report released last week.

The report, commissioned by Playford, Mallala and Barossa councils, the State Government and farming organisations, makes about 100 recommendations to help support the growth of the horticulture industry in the Virginia and Northern Adelaide Plains horticultural region.

Among the recommendations are a dedicated zone for greenhouse production, a study of water delivery and re-use options, better waste disposal practices and the establishment of a regional brand.

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The report also states no further residential development should be planned beyond what has already been outlined in the State Government's 30 Year Plan, which includes 5200 homes in Angle Vale and 4200 homes in Virginia.

Playford Council project manager Paul Johnson said housing should not be located close to farming.

"Urban development does put pressure on horticulture," Mr Johnson said.

"If you're a grower and someone puts a house on nearby allotments, it can cause issues with use of sprays, noise, all sorts of things.

"It tends to boost the land value and that can be an issue for growers."

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The State Government last year passed a Character Preservation Bill for the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale to give those areas extra protection from urban sprawl.

Mr Johnson said a request for similar legislation for the north had not been considered as part of the study.

The region, west of Gawler and Roseworthy, south of Mallala and north of Elizabeth, contributes about 6.5 per cent of the total SA economy and employs almost half of SA's vegetable industry workers.

This represents about 31 per cent of SA's farm gate produce, worth about $225 million.

Mr Johnson said there was a diversity of growers in the region which might make gathering information and pooling resources a challenge.

He said establishing a governing body made up of growers, government and industry agencies to ensure local farmers could lobby the Government effectively was needed.

"The Barossa does this extremely well through the Barossa Grape and Wine Association, a body which represents growers and promotes their interests," Mr Johnson said.

"It is a co-ordinated approach that we would like to replicate in VNAP."

Mr Johnson said the group would be responsible for creating a regional brand which would help with marketing and consumer identification.

Key recommendations:

CREATE a dedicated greenhouse zone with a co-located packing and transport hub close to Virginia

INCREASE the supply of recycled water to the region

USE the area north of the Gawler River for field crops as water becomes available

ESTABLISH a representative industry body and regional "brand"

DEVELOP a climate change adaptation kit to help farmers adapt to a changing environment

DEVELOP a new waste management system

DEVELOP programs to encourage better soil management and pest and disease control

DEVELOP a new waste management system

The report is open for public consultation until October 11.

A growers meeting will be held at the Virginia Institute &Grounds on Friday, September 13, from 3pm to 5pm.

View the report online at playford.sa.gov.au

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