The Agriculture and Rural Industries Strategic Reference Group plays a key role in shaping Wollondilly Shire Council’s future directions in agriculture and rural industries. By providing valuable input and advice, the group helps develop policies, plans, and strategies that support the goals outlined in Council’s Community Strategic Plan. Focused on matters such as rural land management, agricultural industry development, and rural industry growth, the group aims to foster opportunities for sustainable growth in these sectors. Members will contribute to identifying challenges and opportunities, including leveraging agriculture and agri-businesses related to Sydney’s second airport, while ensuring that the needs of all rural landowners in Wollondilly are represented.
The key focus areas for the Agriculture and Rural Industries Strategic Reference Group include:
· Matters falling within the following Councillor portfolios:
o Agriculture
· Developing and supporting Agricultural industries
· Rural Lands
· Rural Industry
· Rural Land Management
· Review and Implementation (as appropriate) of The Rural Lands Strategy
· Increasing awareness of Wollondilly Rural Lands, Agriculture and Rural Industries
· Providing constructive feedback into the development of a range of Council policy documents relating to agriculture and rural industries
· Identifying challenges and the opportunities for sustained and growth of agriculture and rural industries in Wollondilly
· Identifying opportunities to leverage agriculture, agri-business and rural industries off Sydney's second airport
· Representing the views and needs of all rural landowners in Wollondilly in relation to agriculture, agri-business and rural industries.
| Meeting Dates | Agendas | Minutes |
| 23 July 2025 | View Agenda | View Minutes |
| 15 October 2025 | View Agenda | Meeting Postponed |
| 3 December 2025 | View Agenda | View Minutes |
| 4 February 2026 | View Agenda | View Minutes |
| 29 April 2026 | View Agenda | View Minutes |
| 22 July 2026 | ||
| 14 October 2026 | ||
| 17 February 2027 | ||
| 12 May 2027 |
| Name | Position |
| Mayor Gould | Chair |
| Cr Dench | Deputy Chair |
| Stephen Gardiner | Manager Shire Planning, Head of Advocacy |
| Andrew Poore | Manager Project Delivery |
| Lloyd Jones | Community Representative |
| Phillip Bartolo | Community Representative |
| Vince Hewson | Community Representative |
| Richard Stephens | Community Representative |
| Marwan El-Chamy | Community Representative |
| James Bell | Community Representative |
| Gavin Moore | Community Representative |
| Andrew Readings | Community Representative |
| Mal Morgan | Community Representative |
| Seth Barton | Community Representative |
If you have any questions, please contact Council on P: 4677 1100 or email council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au
Wollondilly Shire Council acknowledges the Dharawal and Gundungurra peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land, honouring their enduring cultural and spiritual connection to Country and recognising their ongoing contribution to the Shire.
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