The group that has won the right to operate on rural land in Fyshwick says it wants to "work collaboratively with organisations already operating at Dairy Road".
Southern NSW Harvest Cooperative won the ACT government's competitive expression of interest process to manage and operate on the Dairy Road site.
The Canberra City Farm, a volunteer-run organisation already operating on the site, also competed in the process but was unsuccessful. It now fears for its future after being told to leave the land by October, after operating there since 2015.
Southern Harvest has also operated on the Dairy Road site for the past five years.
A statement released on Thursday by Southern Harvest operations manager Ruth Gaha-Morris said "one of the central commitments within the proposal is to work collaboratively with organisations already operating at Dairy Road".
"Our intention is to build on the strengths, knowledge and activities already present on the site wherever possible. We recognise the valuable contribution many organisations have made over the years and look forward to working constructively with them as discussions continue," she said.
Established in 2011, Southern Harvest is a farmer-led, non-distributing cooperative that "exists to strengthen local food systems across the ACT and south-east NSW through market development, education, networking and advocacy".
Its activities include developing and operating regional farmers' markets in Bungendore and Queanbeyan and operating a regional produce box scheme since 2017.
"Our proposal is centred on strengthening the local food system by expanding food aggregation, education, enterprise development and community participation through a staged and financially responsible approach," Ms Gaha-Morris said.
"The vision is for a collaborative local food systems precinct that supports regional producers, creates opportunities for education and enterprise and improves access to locally produced food."
Southern Harvest said its expression of interest document submitted to the ACT government was a strategic proposal, not a final master plan. The expression of interest document outlined long-term plans for facilities such as a retail shop and restaurant or cafe.
"The proposal outlines a long-term direction for the site. Any future development remains subject to lease negotiations with the ACT government, planning approvals and ongoing engagement with current site users and partners," Ms Gaha-Morris said.
There was no final site layout or fixed development plan, she said.
"The precinct model is based on collaboration, shared use and staged development rather than wholesale redevelopment of the site," the statement read.
"Our focus remains on delivering long-term benefits for producers, communities and the ACT through a resilient, collaborative and sustainable local food system."
Southern Harvest said it looked forward to continuing discussions with the ACT government and "engaging with existing site users as the next stage of planning progresses".
