South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year Award

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:42): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development: will the minister inform the chamber about nominations for the 2022 South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year Award?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:42): I thank the honourable member for his question. Nominations for the 2022 Agricultural Town of the Year (also known as Ag Town of the Year) opened on 23 May 2022. Of course, there are hundreds of small towns across our state that are wonderfully diverse in their offerings, but they also perform an important function as both the business and social centre of so many of our regional farming areas. The support and sense of belonging that a local community provides is incredibly important for families and businesses so that they can live and thrive both on farms and in rural townships.

Ag Town of the Year is an initiative of the government of South Australia and is managed and delivered by Solstice Media through a sponsorship agreement. It is now in its fourth year, and the Ag Town of the Year Award recognises South Australian towns that are excelling in agricultural practices and also the flow-on effects to townships and communities. The award highlights the vital role that agriculture plays in the regional landscape, being of course the backbone of regional communities. Approximately 27 per cent of the state's population live in the regions. Ag Town of the Year not only recognises our primary producers but also highlights the importance of the communities that support them.

Following the closing of town nominations on 17 June (which is I think this Friday), public voting will occur through to 25 July. In August, the top five towns according to public voting will be announced, and visits by the judging panel to each of the top five towns will be undertaken in September.

South Australian regions contribute around $29 billion each year to our state's economy, with agriculture playing a vital role through local employment and business opportunities. Entering the awards provides regional communities the opportunity to reflect on their contributions to South Australia's primary industries and regional development and to also receive public recognition of their town and their contribution. The award recognises the resilience, creativity and strengths of our regional towns. Past winners are Cleve in 2019, Pinnaroo won in 2020, and Kimba won in 2021.

Speaking as a resident of another small town, Port MacDonnell, I can attest the importance of such initiatives as Ag Town of the Year because it focuses on shared community achievements and it fosters an increased sense of community pride. Small towns have an important and unique relationship with the farms that surround them. They are intrinsically linked, facing many shared challenges but of course also many shared successes.

The 2022 South Australian Ag Town of the Year Award is now open for nominations, as I said, so I really do encourage regional communities to get involved and nominate their town. I encourage all members of this place, as well as the other place, to think about encouraging people in their local communities, or communities they know in regional areas, to nominate and be part of this exciting award.