RESIDENTS of Penola and Coonawarra are being urged to nominate the district for the State Government’s inaugural Ag Town of the Year award.
The award has been introduced as part of an initiative to showcase the industries that make South Australia great.
Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast chair and former Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi said in 2013, the council area was recognised as number one for net primary production in the country, a result he believes was due to the region’s strong agricultural focus.
“Penola has a very strong agricultural base,” he said.
“Grape growing, cattle and beef farming and growing potatoes and other crops are all vital to the region.
“The region has a very long and important history in the agriculture industry.”
Mr Gandolfi said recognising the work the region does for not only itself, but the entire country would give the community a sense of pride.
“Regional and rural areas do not only provide economic benefit for the country,” he said.
“They provide the steak someone in the city is eating, or the bottle of wine uncorked during a celebration.
“Penola and Coonawarra is vital to the Limestone Coast in addition to the state and the country and I hope it gets acknowledged for the quality contributions.”
An independent panel will assess the nominations received and select the top five towns to be profiled.
Visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/AgTownOTYNominations to nominate Penola.
Nominations close this Friday.
