A Brief History of Red Plateau Organic Produce
Red Plateau Organic Produce began in the mid-1990s at Mooral Creek, on an isolated 320–400-acre plateau surrounded by national park. The land’s remoteness was a deliberate advantage, offering protection from chemical drift and ideal conditions for organic farming.
From the outset, Sandra and her family farmed using organic principles, years before formal certification frameworks existed. Early production focused on organic market gardens supplying garlic, potatoes, pumpkins, corn, and tomatoes to Sydney wholesalers.
Within a few years, buyers requested certified organic status. Red Plateau achieved full A-Grade Organic Certification within three years, becoming one of Australia’s early certified organic producers.
Orchard Expansion & Early Innovation
In its early days, only a handful of organic avocado growers operated nationally, mostly in Queensland. The Hanly family collaborated closely with these growers to supply a growing organic market, with Red Plateau’s harvest naturally complementing the Queensland season.
Today, Red Plateau Organic Produce is one of Australia’s largest organic avocado growers, producing up to 400 bins of fruit each year. Across its three farms, the family cultivates a total of 3,050 mainly Hass avocado trees, supplying Coles Organics, Woolworths Macro Organics and wholesale markets in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
All Red Plateau farms sit on red volcanic soils, rich in biolife and ideal for growing avocados. These soils, combined with organic practices, allow the family to build soil carbon, protect biodiversity, improve long-term productivity, and produce nutrient-dense fruit.
Going Off-Grid: A Necessity Turned Strength
When electricity providers assessed the Mooral Creek property more than 38 years ago, they determined grid connection was impossible due to steep terrain and mountainous topography. Rather than compromise, the Hanly family embraced an alternative.
Through an early Remote Power Assistance Scheme, they installed a standalone solar system, at a time when off-grid solar technology was still in its infancy.
“We were organic pioneers and solar stand-alone power pioneers.”
This decision shaped Red Plateau’s future, embedding energy independence and resilience into the business from the start.
Multi-Farm, Family-Run Operations
Today, Red Plateau Organic Produce manages three certified organic farms, all owned and cared for by Sandra and her family.
Mooral Creek Farm, the original Red Plateau property, is undergoing long-term regeneration and replanting following the 2019 fires, with orchard recovery expected to take 8–10 years. Innesview Organics Farm on the Comboyne Plateau is the largest of the Red Plateau farms, featuring over 2,500 avocado trees and a large-scale off-grid energy system. Additionally, the family operates a Satellite Farm, also on the Comboyne Plateau.
Powering a Family-Run Organic Farm
Today, Red Plateau operates multiple off-grid renewable lithium battery and solar systems across its farms, supporting:
- Six-person households with full modern appliances
- Workers’ self-contained accommodation
- Irrigation systems
- Sheds and farm infrastructure
- Solar-powered cool rooms (future)
The Innesview Organics Farm on the Comboyne Plateau, run by Carl Hanly, features the largest system, supporting more than 2,500 avocado trees with PowerPlus Energy battery storage and generator backup for peak demand.
Resilience Through Bushfire & Recovery
In November 2019, devastating bushfires swept through the region. Approximately 60% of the original Mooral Creek orchards were lost, and most irrigation infrastructure was destroyed. Family, workers, and neighbours worked together to save homes and machinery, while recovery was compounded by drought and limited water availability.
In the aftermath, the Mooral Creek power system was upgraded to a far more efficient and compact standalone solution using PowerPlus Energy batteries.
“The new system gave us more storage, took up less space, and has been completely reliable.”
The success of this system led the family to install a larger version at the Comboyne farm.
Sustainability Beyond Certification
Organic farming at Red Plateau goes beyond compliance:
- No chemical fertilisers, pesticides, or herbicides
- Protection of soil structure and biolife
- Active carbon sequestration through soil management
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions via renewable energy sources including battery energy storage and solar arrays
- Bush buffer zones to carefully preserve and protect wildlife
The family’s produce is renowned for its integrity and high quality, earning the trust of leading retailers like Coles Organics, Woolworths Macro Organics, and independent organic buyers alike.
Looking to the Future
With a strong foundation in place and a continued commitment to their values, Red Plateau is focused on the next stage of growth, with sustainability, resilience, and innovation at the forefront.
Future plans include:
- Additional battery storage as operations expand
- Solar-powered cool room infrastructure
- Potential wind generation integration
- Adoption of emerging renewable technologies
“As technology improves, we’ll continue to evolve but always in a way that aligns with our values.” – Sandra Fishwick
From the Owner: Sandra Fishwick
“Red Plateau has always been about more than farming. From the beginning, my goal was to grow food with integrity, food that was clean, chemical-free, and produced in a way that cared for the land rather than exhausting it. Organic farming was never a trend for us; it was simply the right thing to do.
We farm in a beautiful part of the world, and with that comes responsibility. Everything we do, organic practices, renewable energy, rebuilding after devastating fires is about ensuring this country is healthier for the next generation than it was for us.
Living and working in nature, with family, there really is no better lifestyle.”
