economic profile predominant land use

Predominant Land Use Within the Southern Highlands

Today - From the Decline of Traditional Farming to a New Era:

Much of the traditional farming land of the Highlands, after 150 years (and in some cases cleared less than 50 years ago), has been closed down.

Near towns it has been subdivided into suburban residential lots for the growing population; once handsome estates further out are being subdivided into hobby and boutique farms for affluent city émigrés.

However, this does not mean the rural ethic has been lost. Supplanting earlier attempts are new enterprises based on more intensive agriculture - something not possible in earlier days.

Exotic Livestock

Alpacas from South America - suited to cooler climates - have made a significant appearance, and their potential remains to be realised.

Emus are also being farmed, and many farmers are specialising in the production of specialist breeds of cattle, and sheep for coloured wool.

Horticulture

The most successful horticultural pursuits in the past were the market crops of the Robertson area earlier in the 20th century (although potato farming remains important) and the orchards and nurseries of Penrose.

Today a number of small holdings have successfully established the growing of berry fruits.

In recent years "hobby farmers" have found that the Highlands is suitable for growing a wide variety of olive trees, and some tens of thousands have been planted. First harvests and pressings have already begun, and if the early successes are any indication, the traditional farmlands of the Highlands may see a multi-million dollar industry of a new (but very ancient) crop.

Today also, there is a new generation of dozens of nurseries - from large commercial concerns, to small private ones, which produce seedlings and plants. Of these, lavender growing is one of the most significant.

Wine Growing

Spurred by the enormous success of wine exports from the traditional wine growing areas of Australia (most of it on hot, dry, irrigated land in the interior), attention is now being given to cooler climate vineyards.
The Highlands is now sharing in this, with about 250 acres under plantation and successful wineries already established at Joadja, Mittagong, and Sutton Forest. Acreage is being extended every year.

As time goes by, and the population in the area increases, traditional broad acre farmland will be lost. Luckily much of this will be replaced by smaller boutique and intensive farming. So far, the Council has been conservative in opening bush land and floodplains for development, which - the lure of pecuniary interest notwithstanding - will see much of the character of the landscape retained for future generations.

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