With everything happening in the world today - both nationally and internationally - we should be counting our blessings to live where we do.
Spring has arrived, bringing with it paddocks of spring lambs and fields of canola that splash dazzling colour across the region.
With everyone leading busy lives, we often forget the things that make our region unique.
The Hilltops boasts high-quality agricultural land and favourable climate, making it one of the most productive rural areas in the state.
The Local Government Area (LGA) is home to approximately 19,000 people and spans more than 7,141 square kilometres.
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It is one of the state’s largest producers of lamb meat, wool, and cherries.
Almost 94 percent of the LGA’s total land area is used for farming, producing agricultural commodities with a total gross value of $502.6 million – ranking the region fourth
in the state for gross output.
A recent consultant’s report released into farm production and output ranked Hilltops No.1 in NSW for livestock - particularly sheep and lamb meat, wool, and stone fruit, with a combined value of over $162 million.
The report also highlights that the region is No.2 in the state for broadacre and cereal crops, as well as pork production.
Hilltops is also a major producer of eggs and grapes for wine production.
In recent months, Hilltops Council has been considering a draft Rural Lands Study Policy, which aims to examine the appropriateness of the current land use zones in rural areas of the Hilltops LGA.
The study will also consider a range of available and context-appropriate rural land use zones under the NSW Standard Instrument LEP.
The Hilltops LGA contains some of the most productive food and wool-growing land in New South Wales.
Agriculture has been the backbone of the local economy for more than 150 years, and it remains the cornerstone of our regional prosperity.
The phrase “Built on the sheep’s back” still resonates today - and hopefully well into the future.
In the coming months, following Council consideration, the Rural Lands Study Policy will be placed on public exhibition for community comment.
Councillor Neil Langford
