FAQs

The working group has identified that the proposed projects would provide the following benefits to the community, among others: 

• A more vibrant township,
• Increased spending in town by visitors,
• Increased regional products,
• Increased employment opportunities,
• More diverse businesses in the region,
• Improved education and interaction with hunters,
• Reduced impact of deer of the local environment.

The working group has identified several key challenges to address and overcome, they include:

• The growing interest in the use of venison by restaurants, but poor mainstream popularity to date
• Workforce and regulatory challenges in the meat processing industry
• The viability of an industry that is traditionally seasonal
• Community education around ethical hunting and the environmental principles followed by the industry is required to address the negative reputation of the industry.

The working group believes Noojee has the following competitive advantages when it comes to the development of Ethical Hunting and Game Processing in the region:

• The district has an established hunting market,
• The proximity to Melbourne makes it a suitable location for day and weekend hunting trips,
• Local guides with experience,
• Sustainably sourced, local ingredients are growing in popularity as awareness of the environmental impact of the food supply chain increases, 
• Venison is an extra lean and nutrient rich meat which has growing interest regionally by local chefs and agencies such as Food & Fibre Gippsland,
• There are a range of markets spanning domestic, fine dining to pet food.