“You can’t stand still.”
Those are the words of Nelson Cox, managing director of Riviera Farms in the Lindenow Valley, who says now more than ever it is time to embrace diversity for the longevity and prosperity of East Gippsland.
Mr Cox has spent his entire life on the land here in East Gippsland, and is part of a family farming business that is now into its sixth generation in the region.
“At Riviera Farms we’ve grown everything from leafy greens to asparagus, and over the years I’ve seen the ups and downs that come with relying on the weather, the markets, and these days more than ever, the struggle to get suitable people to do the work,”
Mr Cox said.
“One thing I’ve learnt is you can’t stand still. If you look at the development of the Mitchell River flats in a generation it is mind-blowing the rate of progress and production from this region.
“Farming isn’t about doing things the way they’ve always been done. It’s about finding better ways.
“That’s why businesses like ours have invested in equipment like the laser weeder, which knocks out weeds via laser rather than hammering crops with herbicide. It’s good for the soil, good for the crop, and good for the people who eat what we grow.”
Mr Cox said if there’s one thing that’s kept the farm going, it’s being open to change, but it’s the kind of change that doesn’t happen exclusively on farms.
“It comes when people are willing to back new ideas and invest,” he said.
“Without that, regions like ours risk getting left behind.
“Labour is the hardest part right now. It’s tough to find people, and tougher again to keep them year after year.
“We’ve invested heavily for nearly a decade in a seasonal worker program, bringing a regular rotation of workers from Pacific Islands which has given us more certainty of labour and has greatly improved the employees lives and their families back home.”
For Mr Cox, the initiative has helped, but for him the bigger picture is getting people, specifically young people, to stay in Gippsland long-term.
“Too many move away because they don’t see enough opportunities close to home,”
Mr Cox said.
“That’s why I was glad to see Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) kick off their Young Farmers program. Leasing land to local
farmers at lower rates gives them a chance to get started.
“Access to land is the biggest barrier when you’re young, and this program helps take that first hurdle down.
“It gives young people a real shot at building a life in farming here, instead of feeling they’ve got to leave.”
Mr Cox has sat down with GCM and heard directly how they plan to run their project.
“They’ve explained the safeguards they’ll put in place and how they aim to protect
the special environment we all care about,” he said.
“Like anyone, I want to see more proof in their pudding as the project moves forward, but I came away feeling optimistic.
“They’re doing the work and asking the right questions, and that gives me confidence.
“And it shows something more important: when new industries come to town,
they can do more than just create jobs in
their own sector. They can actually make farming stronger.”
Mr Cox said that diversity in industry is what keeps a region going, and while farming will always be the backbone of Gippsland, it can’t be the only thing.
“If we’re serious about building a future here, we need mining, logistics, services, tourism – the lot,” he said.
“The more strings we’ve got to our bow, the better chance we’ve got of riding out the tough times.
“The mining project near Bairnsdale is going to bring work and investment,
but what matters most to me are the
flow-on effects.
“Their (GCMs) announcement on rail freight is an example of that. It is a strategic priority of government to find ways to facilitate less truck movement and more
rail freight.
“Initiatives such as rail freight infrastructure can create industry opportunities for new and established businesses in our region, and where we can we should all collaborate to support it.
“Locally our shire has just supported funding for extensions and works to the Bairnsdale Aerodrome. Wouldn’t it be exciting if we could continue to build our industrial capacity, our tourism and other industries to a point where we could have regular flights out of our region. Look at what’s happened on the South Coast of New South Wales as an example of the ripple effect once more people can discover the benefits of our region.”
Mr Cox said when new industries arrive, the benefits provide a ripple effect.
“More people in towns means more kids in our schools, more customers in the shops, and more services,” he said.
“For farmers, it means better freight and infrastructure, and more chances for our young people to see a future here – whether it’s on the farm, in a trade, or in one of the new industries taking shape.
“For me, this isn’t farming versus mining, or old versus new. It’s about Gippsland doing more than one thing well.
“If we want the next generation to have choices – to stay here and build a life – then we’ve got to make sure those choices exist.
“As a farmer, I’ll keep my focus on the soil, the crops, and the people who help us harvest them.
“But as a Gippslander, I care about the bigger picture too. We can’t grow stronger by standing still.
“We’ve got to back innovation, welcome investment, and support a mix of industries. That’s how Gippsland will thrive – not
just for my generation, but for the ones coming next.”
