Region. Perishable products under threat

Urban expansion competes for land with agricultural production. The urban fringes of Australia account for a significant proportion of some types of food production, particularly perishable vegetables – the Sydney region is estimated to be responsible for producing around 90 per cent of cabbage and lettuce consumed in the city. The north-west and south-west growth centres of Sydney, designated to be progressively released for urban development over the next two decades, contain 52 per cent of Sydney’s vegetable farming properties, 60 per cent of greenhouse industries, and 46 per cent of outdoor hydroponic vegetable industries in the region, according to the State of Australian Cities 2010 report, published by Infrastructure Australia, Major Cities Unit.

Penrith. Protecting local food production

The Penrith local government area has 124 vegetable farms, about 11.8 per cent of Sydney's identified vegetable farms, the same amount as the Hawkesbury. Both were behind Liverpool, which contained 35 per cent of Sydney's vegetable farms. A Penrith City Council spokesman said, in the Penrith Star, the council wanted to protect local food production so “the benefits of fresh food and a sustainable local economy are here for generations to come''.