City council to send delegation to Hong Kong conference

Council sent delegations to the Logistica in 2017, 2018 and 2019 to “investigate and pursue opportunities that relate to international trade”.

It did not attend in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19 and withdrew from the 2022 event to concentrate on the region’s flood crisis, but councillors have unanimously voted to again send a delegation, to Hong Kong, later this year.

In supporting the recommendation to send a delegation, Cr Fern Summer anticipated criticism from ratepayers.

“Unless you’re a fruit grower, this is rarely a popular item in the community,” she said.

“No doubt some people can imagine councillors living it up on overseas trips while they’re (ratepayers) there pondering their next utility bill and the price of living.

“However, the trips, they’re not all roses and honey. This is a working delegation intended to progress local fruit-growing opportunities across international borders.”

Cr Sam Spinks also backed the motion, but warned budgetary pressures on council would mean funding decisions would face increasing scrutiny.

“I do think that this is worthy and I do intend to support it, but I just want to raise that it is every decision that we make, even these smaller amounts, that needs to be looked at through that lens and I just want to highlight that we’re doing that now,” she said.

The recommendation put to council supporting the sending of a delegation said the combined output of Greater Shepparton’s agriculture and horticulture industries was worth more than $1 billion every year, the majority of which was exported around the world.

The council delegation will combine with Fruit Growers Victoria to host a stand at the event.

Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Shane Sali, who will be part of the delegation, said it was an important one for council to support.

“It's genuinely about offering support to our billion dollar industry ag sector and working and helping them create connections,” he said.

“I think the proposed figure was just under $22,000 so in the scheme of things, on how big the industry is, and the one international trip that we do, that’s been ongoing for many years, and it’s been really successful in the past...”

Asia imported 15.9 million tonnes of fresh fruit from all origins in 2021, with its combined imports from Australia and New Zealand rising by three per cent to one million tonnes.

The delegation will include Cr Sali, council chief executive Peter Harriott and an officer from within the council’s economic development department.

It will leave on September 4 and return on September 9, including three days at the Asia Fruit Logistica.

Travel and accommodation expenses of the delegation: