A landmark project that brings together innovation, community, and collaboration to build a more sustainable and resilient future for the region has been launched on the outskirts of Bairnsdale.

Skeene Creek Farm – a partnership led by the Gippsland Agricultural Group and supported by East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Southern Farming Systems, Greening Australia, East Gippsland Landcare Network. East Gippsland Water and East Gippsland Shire Council – represents a powerful example of regional expertise working together to deliver shared outcomes.

Located at the corner of Johnstons Road and Bengworden Road near the Bairnsdale Landfill, Skeene Creek Farm will transform underutilised land into a centre for circular economy, agricultural productivity, and environmental resilience.

Gippsland Agricultural Group’s General Manager, Jen Smith, expressed the groups pleasure in partnering on the development of this land. “The scale of Skeene Creek Farm gives us the opportunity to test and trial approaches to soil management and pasture development at a size that truly reflects real farming conditions in our region,” Ms Smith said.

“This coming autumn, alongside African Lovegrass control, we’ll begin a scaled-up installation of our Grow More Topsoil project, which has previously operated in smaller research plots at the Gippsland Research Farm. Taking this work to farm scale means the outcomes will be timely, relevant, practical, and directly suited to the needs of local producers.

“We are excited not just for our group’s members and their interest in research, but for the broader potential this site unlocks for our entire region. In Gippsland, we have been leaving value on the table in our farming systems. We already have access to the technology and the knowledge of soil management tools, pasture and crop species selection, precision fertiliser programs but what’s been missing is a place to bring it all together at scale.

“Skeene Creek Farm gives GAgG a blank canvas to demonstrate, in a timely, relevant, and practical way, how producers can unlock their productivity potential. The work here has the power to sharpen our farming systems and drive economic development and prosperity across our region for years to come.”  

Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said the initiative demonstrates how collaboration can drive real-world solutions for the future of farming and the environment.

“Skeene Creek Farm will be much more than a project – it’s a living demonstration of how productive agriculture, environmental care, and innovation can thrive side by side. We are proud to be able to lease the 265-acre property to the ag group to enable it to happen,” Cr Ashworth said.

“Through strong partnerships, our agriculture sector is building a site that will help local farmers adapt to change, showcase practical solutions, and strengthen our region’s long-term sustainability.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in the project.”

Skeene Creek Farm will host large-scale demonstration plots showcasing soil management techniques, precision agriculture tools, and data-driven technologies that improve productivity and sustainability. Farmers will be able to connect directly with research and practical insights through field days, workshops, and on-farm trials.

This initiative aligns with the proposed establishment of a composting facility that embodies the principles of the circular economy – turning waste into value and closing the loop between urban and rural systems. Located alongside the Bairnsdale Waste Facility, the proposed compost facility will have the capacity to process up to 25,000 tonnes of food and garden organics each year.

Using high-spec composting systems, organic materials will be converted into nutrient-rich compost products that enhance soil health, increase water-holding capacity, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers. By removing organic material from landfill may reduce future landfill emissions by up to 97%.

By 2050, Skeene Creek Farm aims to stand as a national model for sustainable agriculture – supporting local farmers, enhancing natural landscapes, and ensuring East Gippsland remains productive and resilient for generations to come.

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