Food & Water
The community decided in the Wingecarribee Shire Community Strategic Plan 2031+ to ensure that no development takes place in Wingecarribee that would threaten the underpinning natural resources of the area as a water catchment, food bowl, and tourist and recreational attraction.
The Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) is a planning process developed by the former NSW Department of Water and Energy (DWE), with defined steps to effectively integrate water supply, sewerage and storm-water to achieve sustainable management of these services.
DWE developed the IWCM Guidelines in 2004 and a revised Scope of Work (draft) in August 2007 to provide guidance on the development of an IWCM Strategy.
The Wingecarribee IWCM Strategy Plan has followed these guidelines.
Wingecarribee Food Bowl
Our community is committed to producing a diverse range of quality food while protecting natural resources across the Southern Highlands.
Local food production includes farm gate sales, vegetables, fruit and berries, olives, grapes, nuts, cheese, meat (local suppliers to local butchers) and honey.
Food Producing Businesses
Local producers may find useful information on services that can assist their business in sustainable food production.
The Rural Partner Program has more information and a copy of the Rural Living Handbook.
There are lots of resources to obtain Government assistance for land, water and farm management:
At Home
Residents can produce healthy seasonal food through gardening or by joining a local community garden.
This can help to reduce grocery bills, avoid supermarket packaging and maintain a bio-diverse backyard. By growing your own food you can be confident about the source and quality of your food.