Local industry leaders, farmers and community members will come together in Orbost on November 18–19 to explore the potential role of industrial hemp in the region’s economic future.
The two-day forum is being convened by the Future of Orbost & District (FoOD) Project.
Industrial hemp is an emerging industry in Australia, with applications in fibre,
construction, food, bioproducts and regenerative agriculture.
While the industry is still developing, local interest is growing as the district seeks new opportunities following the transition away from native timber harvesting.
Day one of the forum will involve targeted site visits to former timber milling and processing locations. The purpose of these visits is to consider whether existing sites, equipment or infrastructure could be repurposed to support future hemp processing or hub-based collaboration, particularly where local capability and experience already exist.
Day two will be an open forum for local farmers, businesses and interested community members. Participants will hear from agronomist Rob Eccles on lessons from recent hemp crop trials, including how hemp can fit within existing production systems in East Gippsland.
The session will also include insights from Bob Doyle (Hemp Inside), who has been active in the Australian industrial hemp sector since 2005 and has experience with repurposing former forestry industry assets. Representatives
of the Victorian Hemp Association will also be in attendance.
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Mr Garry Squires, secretary of the Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and a member of the FoOD Governance Group, said the forum is an important step in exploring new opportunities grounded in local strengths.
“The industrial hemp industry is yet to mature, but it presents a lot of opportunity, and we are keen to continue to explore how we position our district within it,” he said.
The forum aims to support a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with industrial hemp, and to consider whether the region is well-placed to participate in future supply chains, processing activities and product development.
The Future of Orbost and District project is a response to the impacts of the end of native timber harvesting in Victoria’s state forests, and the need to transition the local economy.
The purpose of the project is to build on to Orbost and District’s existing strengths and leverage opportunities for supporting positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
