Naracoorte and Lucindale have been nominated for South Australia’s Agricultural Town of the Year Awards 2023, pinning the importance of the district’s $411million primary production sector.

Public voting is now open to choose the top 10 agricultural towns in the region, and the Naracoorte Lucindale Council is encouraging locals to register their votes for the towns.

Council chief executive officer Trevor Smart told The [Naracoorte Community] News the nomination provided the opportunity for greater state-wide recognition of the value of agriculture to both towns and the region.

“…and highlights the practises of those within the agricultural sector and the benefits that flow onto communities,” Mr Smart said.

He said the primary production sector was the significant driver of local, regional, and state economies, with an estimated $411million (annually) in local outputs from the agriculture and forestry sectors, which include some 589 businesses.

“I would encourage as many as possible to go online and register their vote for either Naracoorte or Lucindale, and this goes towards the shortlisting of finalists.”

Bordertown in the Tatiara District has also been nominated for the prestigious award.

Now in its fifth year, the annual South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year recognises South Australian towns that excel in agricultural practises and the flow-on effect on their surrounding communities.

Each year, the Ag Town of the Year award highlights the importance of developing and maintaining a strong and vibrant agriculture sector in South Australia by recognising towns that embrace their farming culture and display the foresight, resilience, and spirit unique to our rural and regional communities.

The ultimate winner will receive a commemorative sign for their town entrance, a joyous community celebration event, and a feature in SALIFE magazine.

Past winners include Cleve in 2019, Pinnaroo in 2020, Kimba in 2021, and Mypolonga in 2022.

This article appeared in the  Naracoorte Community News.