The GFS researcher, Professor Randy Stringer has been actively supporting a proposed bid for UNESCO World Heritage listing of the working agricultural landscape of the four councils in Adelaide’s Mount Lofty Ranges, namely Adelaide Hills, the Barossa Valley, Mount Barker and McLaren Vale.
According to the University of Adelaide’s media release in 2012, World Heritage listing would protect the Mount Lofty Ranges’ unique qualities as a working agricultural region. This recommendation was derived from an 18-month study led by Prof Stringer, which was funded by the Adelaide Hills Council, The Barossa Council, District Council of Mount Barker and the City of Onkaparinga.
One activity to support the bid is the Think session at Tasting Australia on Thursday, 1 May 2014 at 4pm. The session will discuss how South Australia’s utopian origins can be used to engage with the rest of the world from a position of confidence, selling distinct products and services at added value based upon their provenance. It will feature several speakers including sixth generation Barossan James Lindner of Langmeil winery, sixth generation Beerenberg Farm custodian Sally Paech and heritage and health advocate Dr Patricia Bishop, a fifth generation South Australian, and the owner and restorer of Marble Hill. Stephanie Johnston, Project Manager of the Mount Lofty Ranges World Heritage Bid will chair the session.
The listing for working, evolving agricultural landscapes is very rare. If successful, the Mount Lofty Ranges would join other working agricultural sites in Italy, Portugal, Hungary and Mexico to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing.
The aims of achieving World Heritage Site status are not only to conserve the unique qualities of the Mount Lofty Ranges under local planning control, but also provide the globally-recognised branding that South Australia’s food, wine and tourism industries are seeking.
Four councils and the State government are to contribute regularly to support the proposed bid including for project management, communication, research and documentation.
One activity supporting the bid is the Think Session at Tasting Australia. According to Tasting Australia’s media release, Minister for Tourism Leon Bignell explained that Tasting Australia would reinforce South Australia’s reputation as the home of premium food and wine. The presentation and discussions at the Think session would help not only the four councils and the State goverment to further conceptualise the World Heritage bid in details but also to actively engage with local communities formulating how South Australia’s food, wine and tourism industries can be further developed taking into account aspects such as sustainability, climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and ethics, as well as senses of place, identity and community.
For more information about Tasting Australia forum “Utopia, Food and Wine: the case for UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Mount Lofty Ranges, go to this link.
For copies of the Executive Summary, the Feasibility Study and the related Economic Impact Study, go to this link.
