Victoria is updating planning rules to safeguard productive agricultural land and support small‑scale processing such as micro‑abattoirs. The goal is to shorten supply chains and make the state’s food system more resilient to shocks.
As Melbourne expands, the policy seeks to balance growth with regional jobs and exports. Expect councils to map strategic farmland and set clearer development controls to avoid fragmentation.
Related context: Western Australia’s push into regional processing (e.g., the Kimberley Cotton Gin) shows a national trend toward value‑adding closer to where produce is grown.