Burdekin cane farmers will have the opportunity to contribute in person to an inquiry aimed at growing the industry following the announcement of a public hearing in Townsville.

Announced in June, Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP urged local growers to embrace the opportunity and provide much needed input.

“When the inquiry was announced, a commitment was given to dig deep into a wide range of issues affecting the industry,” Mr Last said.  “A thorough investigation is necessary to ensure the brightest future for the industry and for areas like the Burdekin.”

“Those issues include both opportunities and challenges because you need a balanced and fair assessment of what’s possible and what needs to change.  Unfortunately, what we saw in the past was the industry not receiving the support it needs to flourish with farmers labelled as environmental vandals.”

“What we need, instead, is a clear plan to embrace opportunities and to deal with regulatory or legislative barriers that prevent those opportunities being realised.  It’s a ‘warts and all’ look at what needs to be done, and by who, to help the industry and the communities that rely on it.”

Mr Last said the production of biofuels for industries like aviation and boosting the generation of base-load electricity were opportunities worth consideration but that the best opportunity for one area may not be the best for another.

“I really don’t think embracing a single opportunity or solving a single challenge is the answer for growing the industry,” he said.  “There is a myriad of reasons why different opportunities bring more potential for some areas than for others but, regardless, we need to identify those opportunities for everyone’s benefit.”

“What I would like to see come out of the inquiry is a plan, based on industry and stakeholder input, that identifies practical steps that industry and government can take to achieve the best outcome.  We will achieve very little if the result is based on limited input.”

“The Burdekin is the largest sugar producing region, so it is absolutely vital that concerns for farmers in the Burdekin are addressed.  It is equally as vital that farmers in the Burdekin are able to take advantage of any opportunities identified by the inquiry.”

The hearing will be held on September 10th at the Hotel Grand Chancelor in Townsville.