Who can join SCPA?

SCPA members range from interested to practising agriculturalists, from hobbyists to large enterprises and everyone in between. Most members live on the Sapphire Coast, southeast New South Wales, but SCPA also has members in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

What does it cost to join?

Membership costs $80.00 per year, including GST, and entitles members to six copies of our bimonthly magazine, "The Producer", participation in Special Interest Group activities and marketing opportunities of their choice, and voting rights. The membership year runs from July 1 to June 30. Those wishing to join after January 1st only pay $40.00 (including GST). Subscriptions to "The Producer" are $40 (including GST) annually.

When was SCPA founded?

SCPA was born in 1993 as a result of an initiative of the South Coast Business Enterprise Centre. The Sapphire Coast needed sustainable alternatives to the traditional primary products of the region.

Our first successes were with flower farms for domestic and export production. The latest success is the integration of local rural industries with tourism.

Why is SCPA necessary?

It's often difficult for landholders to access proven, reliable information about rural income and diversification alternatives through normal government advisory services. SCPA is building up a living databank of this information and experience, amongst its members.

However SCPA's main role is to assist small rural businesses to get off the ground and develop into healthy, sustainable, revenue-raising concerns.

How is SCPA funded?

Our operations are mostly financed through membership subscriptions, which amount to over $7000.00 pa. We also apply for grants to carry out specific projects relating to regional rural development, through programs such as the Regional Assistance Program.

There's no Special Interest Group for my area of interest. Can I start a new one?

Of course. If you are engaged in small business on the Sapphire Coast, you can see potential for its development, and know of others also intending to start a similar business, contact us to discuss the viability of a new Special Interest Group. We're always happy to diversify.