Late last year I visited a major business in my electorate, Leppington Speedy Seedlings and Supplies. It is a family owned and operated seedling growing business located across six adjoining properties in Leppington. It is the largest commercial nursery of its type in Australia. A hidden gem, the farm sits not far off Camden Valley Way in the heart of the south-west growth corridor—a region becoming more well known for housing growth and growing communities than for market‑leading agriculture. The business began growing seedlings in the mid-70s to sell to farmers at local markets and has now turned into one of the biggest suppliers of seedlings in the country. It grows almost 300 million fruit and vegetable seedlings annually, which are for sale to commercial growers. It supplies major national supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths, as well as independent greengrocers, food processors, local markets and for export overseas.

It is not an exaggeration to say that much of the fruit and veg eaten daily begins its journey in Leppington at Speedy Seedlings. In one sense, it is a food bowl of the nation. The business employs 62 trained workers, increasing to 80 in peak season. It is a significant business for not just the local economy but agriculture along the eastern seaboard. It also has a keen eye on the future, with the third generation of Vellas busy in the onsite laboratory. It is there that Leppington Speedy Seedlings and Supplies are collaborating with international corporations and universities, undertaking innovative research into areas such as gene splicing and trials of emerging crops such as hemp and disease-resistant fruit and veg. All of that ensures that farmers both here and abroad are better able to increase crop resistance and harvest output. It is perfectly located in a semirural area but it is close enough to urban amenities such as water supply, electricity, NBN and major transport corridors. It is also perfectly situated to benefit from the future agriculture precinct at Western Sydney airport.

However, while I have encouraged several of my colleagues to come out for a site visit and see the amazing and innovative work this family business is doing, my purpose was not purely to spruik one of the many great businesses in my electorate. Leppington Speedy Seedlings and Supplies is under threat from urban sprawl. A proposed road extension is earmarked to pass through its property, including the business's main dam. To state the obvious, without the dam the business will become unviable. In the words of its owner, Dr John Vella, "It is vital to the survival of the entire business. Not having control of the water supply and water quality will be fatal to the entire plant production process and consequently the entire business." Under the proposed road extension, its water storage facility and land is to be used as a drainage reserve. Urban pollution from the proposed upgrade and nearby development will make its water unusable, especially as they must adhere to strict water standards under Freshcare.

The Leppington Speedy Seedlings and Supplies team were given assurances by former MPs and the council over the past decade. It was told its property would not be affected when the final stages of the upgrade come to fruition. Yet when more detailed designs were released, they were surprised to find that the plan had not changed to protect their business. They have invited Camden Council planners to visit the site to fully comprehend the scale of the operation and the impact the road extension will have. I have had discussions with Camden Council in attempt to find a reasonable resolution to the issue, and I look forward to its response.

I note that the Premier has recently spoken about the need to build up and not out. When he has done so, it has generally been in reference to the housing challenges of an ever-expanding Sydney: construction costs, access to amenities and jobs, and getting a grip on urban sprawl. Tonight I have presented another reason why we should stop filling out and should instead build up: We need to maintain businesses and food supply in the Sydney basin. It is good for the economy, it is good for the environment and, more importantly, it is good for our bellies. Leppington Speedy Seedlings and Supplies is the heart of the horticultural value chain. It generates employment and value for other businesses in the sector and then on to the end consumer. I ask that businesses like this and others on Sydney's fringe be preserved and protected from urban expansion, and I call on Camden Council to reconsider its plans for the extension of the road through its property.