'A Taste of Mornington Peninsula' Launched at Parliament House
Monday, 06 August 2018 16:30
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
The combination of successful
tourism and farming on the Mornington Peninsula that underpins the employment
of thousands of Victorians was highlighted this morning with the launch of 'A
Taste of Mornington Peninsula'.
The campaign was launched on the steps of the Victorian Parliament by the
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council with local farmers, vegetable growers, wine
and cheese makers, brewers, tourism operators and apprentice chefs with a display
of produce from the Mornington Peninsula.
The launch of 'A Taste of Mornington Peninsula' on the steps of Parliament House
Cr. Bryan Payne, Mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council said the severe
drought conditions across large areas of Australia are a stark reminder of how
important it is to protect our farming communities and the sustainability of
agriculture across the country.
"A Taste of Mornington Peninsula' campaign highlights the importance of protecting
the Mornington Peninsula Green Wedge which has bipartisan political support
because of the vital role its unique environment plays in underpinning both
tourism and agricultural activity.
"Agricultural production within the Mornington Peninsula Shire generates more
than $1.1 billion in total value per year. Around one third of the land on the
Mornington Peninsula is devoted to agricultural production."
Cr. Payne said over 7 million visitors annually come to the Mornington Peninsula
to experience wine and food from 500 registered food hospitality venues with
hospitality being one of the region's largest employers, employing over 4,400
people.
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"The tourism and agricultural sectors of our local economy provide a wide range
of employment opportunities and sustainable jobs in the future.
"It is important to create a wider awareness both locally and internationally
of the year-round attractions and tourism experiences including the growing
farm gate Agri-tourism sector.
"Mornington Peninsula Shire is located within the Port Phillip and Westernport
Catchment Management Region, the second largest agricultural region in Victoria,
producing at least 15% of the total wealth generated from the State's agricultural
industry from less than 4% of the state's farm land.
A special Mornington Peninsula certified trade mark, developed by Mornington
Peninsula Shire and its Food Industry Advisory Body, continues to help consumers
confirm the provenance of fresh produce produced in the Mornington Peninsula
Shire when buying from the farm gate, farmers' markets and retail outlets.
The Mornington Peninsula's key food producing industries are vegetables,
poultry, grapes and wine, livestock and seafood.
Cr. Payne said many small to medium growers and artisans take advantage of local
markets to sell direct to consumer. The more than 25 farm gates scattered across
the hinterland reduce distribution costs and deliver higher returns for many
of these micro-small businesses.
The Mornington Peninsula also is a world-renowned wine region with over 50 cellar
doors producing for the domestic and international markets.
A new magazine Found, a publication by the Mornington Peninsula Regional
Tourism Board for residents and visitors, was also released to increase
the awareness of the Mornington Peninsula tourism experience all year round.
The Mornington Peninsula Green Wedge has a total area of 51,204 hectares (512
km2), which comprises approximately 70% of the area of the Shire. It contains
several important bushland reserves including Point Nepean National Park, Mornington
Peninsula National Park, Arthurs Seat State Park, and the Devil Bend Park, as
well as wetlands that are recognised by several international treaties, notably
the Ramsar agreement.
Many of the landscapes of the Green Wedge are classified by the National Trust
and provide significant opportunities for outdoor and unstructured recreation
that makes the Peninsula one of Victoria's most visited regions.
Being part of the Mornington Peninsula, it is unique among Melbourne's Green
Wedges in being close to the coast of Port Phillip Bay and Western Port.
There are a wide range of agricultural enterprises conducted in the Green Wedge
including beef cattle grazing, large scale horticulture, broiler chicken farming
and wineries.
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council - Mobile: 0417 329 201