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23 June 2009
Food for thought - Launch of $2 million food grant for the Northern Rivers
Northern Rivers Councils have received a grant of $2 million from the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change for a regional food focussed 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.
"This is an amazing and complex project for the whole of Northern Rivers," Byron Shire Council’s sustainability officer Graeme Williams said.
“It has been challenging and exciting to bring seven Councils together with major stakeholders, such as the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board and Area Health, to develop a project of this size and scope.
“It is the first step in implementing the ideas and the passions of so many people to achieve real, on-ground outcomes in relation to sustainable food production and will further Byron Shire’s work in fostering sustainable agriculture," Mr Williams said.
A free Byron Shire community consultation session will be held in Council's Conference Room, Mullumbimby on Friday 3rd July from 1- 2:30pm.
“The session will allow community members and groups to provide input and start thinking about what projects and strategies can be delivered in Byron Shire and across the Northern Rivers Region.
“Any groups or individuals with ideas relating to sustainable food or organic waste/nutrient cycling are encouraged to attend the consultation session that will result in future project proposals,” said Mr Williams.
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.
For more details on the project and consultation process please visit www.byron.nsw.gov.au or contact:
Sam Muller, Lead Consultant
Mobile
: 0438 384 105
Email: mailto:sam@mullerenterprise.com.au
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Media Contact: Donna Johnston
Media Communications Officer
Byron Shire Council
Ph: 02 6626 7320
Byron Shire is located at Australia's eastern-most point with a population of almost 29,000. It is a thriving community where residents and visitors live, work and play in a sustainable environment and where Council strives to deliver the highest standard of local government services and infrastructure.
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