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'An existential issue': Property speculation threatening Victoria's food bowl

The article from The Age discusses the growing threat of property speculation in Victoria's food bowl regions, particularly in the Goulburn Valley. It highlights how the conversion of agricultural land into residential and commercial developments is jeopardizing the state's food security. Key points include the rapid increase in land prices, driven by investors and developers, which makes it economically challenging for farmers to continue or expand their operations. The article mentions specific cases where prime agricultural land has been sold for housing estates, reducing the area available for food production. Local farmers and agricultural advocates express concerns over the loss of fertile soil, the impact on local economies, and the potential for increased food prices due to decreased local supply. There's also mention of regulatory challenges, with calls for stronger zoning laws and government intervention to protect agricultural land from speculative development. The piece underscores the tension between urban expansion and the need to preserve land for sustainable food production, framing it as an existential issue for Victoria's future food security.

Read the Full The Age Article at:
[ https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/an-existential-issue-property-speculation-threatening-victoria-s-food-bowl-20241130-p5kurs.html ]