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Food Hub – Bangalow By: Vivienne Pearson
A fortnight ago, The Echo’s front page reported reactions to a proposed ‘food hub’ for Bangalow. What exactly is the reasoning behind the proposal? In early March, Byron Shire Council’s Sustainable Economy Committee considered very early ideas for what is being called a Food and Innovation Park. Jane Laverty, economic development and tourism coordinator, says that the idea arose as a potential solution for an unmet need identified by local food manufacturers. These businesses are growing in size and in number. Byron Bay has proven to be a fertile seeding ground for food businesses, with companies such as Stone & Wood, The Byron Bay Cookie Company, Bangalow Sweet Pork and Ilias The Greek (among others) selling locally as well as using
Byron Bay as a marketing tool. These businesses create employment for locals and contribute to the area’s economy becoming less reliant on tourism, but as they grow many feel pressure to move their operations away from the Byron Bay area. Reasons for this include the high cost of setting up in new premises in a standalone way, and difficulties in finding non-floodprone industrial land. The solution is finding suitable land where businesses can ‘cluster’ to allow them to share resources and development costs. The manufacturing businesses could potentially operate alongside food-based research labs and/or a ‘cellar door’ type setup for the public. Byron Shire’s existing industrial estates, including a new food-specific section of the Mullumbimby Industrial Estate, are ideal for small ven-
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tures; however, their narrow roads and eclectic mix of business types (art, kid-activity, retail) make them less suitable for medium-large food businesses. The proposed Bangalow location could be ideal as foodhub-related traffic would not need to pass through town. In a letter to the Bangalow Chamber of Commerce in 2015, the RMS indicated that, once they had returned the site to its previous state (removing all the temporary buildings), it would most likely be made available for private sale. Though this site is potentially well suited to the idea, other sites will be considered. The whole idea is in its infancy, with several steps needed before it progresses beyond just an idea. ‘It is concept only,’ says Jane Laverty. ‘Lots of conversations need to be had before we even get to step one.’ She adds: ‘There’s no rush to have something that’s slapdash and we don’t want to do it if it can’t be done well’.
Ja Nghari Boomerang dinner The crowd at the inaugural Ja Nghari Boomerang fundraising dinner at Coorabell Hall on Friday were treated to an excellent feast courtesy of Harvest Café and Three Blue Ducks, as well as interesting discussion on native foods and culture. Expect this dinner to become a great annual event. Foraging for bush foods prior to the event chefs Bret
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Cameron and Darren Robertson (pictured) found some delicious surprises, and with an increasing demand for local, sustainable produce, you can expect to see even more native foods on the menu at their restaurants. A terrific performance by East Journey was an unexpected bonus; check them out at Boomerang Festival at Bluesfest.
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GREAT MEALS, DAILY SPECIALS, FRESH DRINKS AND A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE IN TOWN O PEN 7 NIGH T S A W E E K FR OM 5 PM & L UNCH T H U R S , FR I, S AT FR OM 1 2 MAKE YO UR B OOK IN G ON 6 6 8 5 5 0 0 9 95 J ON S ON S T R E E T 24 March 23, 2015 The Byron Shire Echo
Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au