Press Releases

A co-ordinated strategy to crack down on farm crime and livestock theft was officially launched at the inaugural state conference of the Victoria Police Livestock and Farm Crime Specialist Group in Echuca today.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Peter Ryan officially opened the conference saying farming communities had welcomed the new focus on stamping out livestock and farm crime.

“Last financial year there were 250 recorded offences of livestock theft across Victoria, worth an estimated $1.7 million,” Mr Ryan said.

“This growing problem is now receiving the focus needed to prosecute thieves and criminals taking advantage of Victoria’s farmers.

“This important two-day event will be held twice a year to ensure Victoria’s team of 42 specialist Agricultural Liaison Officers (ALOs) build knowledge and specialist skills in this important area of policing.

“Farming industry representatives will be on-hand to help educate ALOs and ensure they have the skills, intelligence gathering and professional networks needed to investigate, prosecute and prevent these sorts of crimes.”

Mr Ryan said the Livestock Theft and Farm Related Crime Strategy 2012-15 would provide the framework for Victoria Police’s offensive against farm crime.

“The strategy will focus on four key areas; prevention, intelligence, enforcement and integrated operations,” Mr Ryan said.

“It also aims to build partnerships between police and industry at a local level to reduce the opportunity for these sorts of crimes.

“A strategic advisory group will be established to work with agencies to develop state-wide crime prevention programs for farmers and other regional Victorians.

“Under the strategy, Victoria Police will also establish an online ‘information hub’ to provide training to ALOs and access to up-to-date information on local crime issues.”

Mr Ryan said the delivery of targeted resources to crack down on livestock and farm crime offences was a key part of the Coalition’s regional law and order agenda during the 2010 election.

“It is pleasing to see this important initiative starting to make a real difference in regional and rural communities,” Mr Ryan said.

Media contact: Clare Siddins 0429 507 541  Read More

Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood today announced that the Victorian Coalition Government would provide $460,000 towards a major expansion at Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes.

Mr Blackwood said the funding would contribute to a $30 million expansion at Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes that was expected to also create 130 new jobs.

Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan, Mr Blackwood said the funding would help Flavorite invest in infrastructure that would deliver a secure water supply.

“Flavorite is a certified hydroponic food producer, growing large truss tomatoes, small cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and capsicums at its farm in Warragul,” Mr Blackwood said.

“To achieve its plan to increase the size of its glasshouse operations from 14 hectares to 30 hectares by mid-2016, Flavorite requires a larger and more secure water supply.

“The Coalition Government’s funding will help Flavorite invest in water infrastructure, allowing the company to harvest rainwater and reuse its irrigation drainage water in fit-for-purpose applications after suitable treatment.”

Mr Blackwood said the $996,000 Flavorite Water Efficiency Project included construction of a 50 megalitre lined and covered dam, installation of water filtration and water sterilization equipment, extra water storage capacity and ancillary works.

“Once completed this will improve the security of Flavorite’s water supply, reduce its overall consumption of and reliance on ground water and town water supply, reduce production costs and enable it to undertake its planned expansion program,” Mr Blackwood said.

“The project will provide the capacity for Flavorite to annually harvest up to 61 megalitres of rainwater for use in its fogging operations, which will reduce Flavorite’s annual consumption of town water by 18 megalitres (or 64 per cent).

“The company will also reduce its annual consumption of ground water by 103 megalitres (or 50 per cent), and its annual consumption of fertiliser by 160 tonnes (35 per cent).”

Mr Ryan said the Coalition Government was pleased to support innovative initiatives that helped create jobs and growth in regional and rural Victoria.

“Funding for the Flavorite Water Efficiency Project would be provided to Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes Pty Ltd through the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund,” Mr Ryan said.

The project works were scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012. Read More

Victoria’s biofuels industry has received a significant boost with the announcement of $500,000 from the Victorian Coalition Government for a new bio-energy production facility near Echuca. Read More

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan officially opened the new 5,800 square metre Agribusiness Exhibitor Pavilion at the Elmore Field Days today.  Read More

Key stakeholders will discuss the major issues impacting the future of Victoria’s dairy industry at the 36^th annual United Dairy Farmers of Victoria Conference at Sale this week. Read More