AAC project manager, Jo Marshall, addressed the December meeting of Upper Lachlan Shire Council about the proposal.

She believes the Centre could be an attraction for the region, serve as a link for the next generation of farmers and increase local jobs.

In October, Mrs Marshall had jointly facilitated a community consultation with Regional Development Australia Southern Inland (RDASI) in Crookwell to gauge support for the Centre.

About 50 people went along to the meeting at the Crookwell Services Club.

“It was great to see so many key people attend the community consultation and hear their ideas and support for the concept,” Mrs Marshall said.

“It is clear it is something that the community wants for Crookwell.”

With the average age of Australian farmers at 56, Mrs Marshall is keen to educate and expose future generations to the agricultural industry. 

The Centre would be a multi-purpose facility aiming to educate, showcase and demonstrate technology and innovation in the agricultural industry with a focus on two core activities: tourism and education.

With increasing domestic and international interest in where food and fibre comes from, it could be an opportunity to provide a real-life experience of life on a farm, proposing field production, small-scale manufacturing, energy initiatives, interactive and themed displays.

Local land producer David Montgomery also spoke at the community consultation about how the AAC concept originated some 30 years go.

Following the presentation, the community was invited to provide feedback and ask questions.

Mrs Marshall said the comments and questions were extremely positive and useful and confirmed that the proposed AAC could find its home in Crookwell.

At the December council meeting, councillors voted to allocate $20,000 towards a business case and concept design for the project, subject to the AAC acquiring appropriate funding.