New tool to boost agriculture production

Farmers and agri-business investors can now take advantage of a new online tool to help them identify opportunities to expand agricultural production.  

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said the online tool was developed as part of the Land Audit of Queensland process - an LNP Government election commitment.

“Unlike under the previous Labor Government which had no plan - we came to Government with a strong plan to grow the economy with agriculture one of the key pillars,” Mr McVeigh said.

“The Queensland Government completed the state-wide Land Audit in May last year which identified land that is important to current and future agricultural production.

“We have now developed the Agricultural Values Assessment online tool to cut through about 800 pages of information and generate simple, informative reports for an area of interest selected by a potential investor.

“This tool will be useful for agri-business investors looking to invest in agriculture in a particular region or for farmers looking to expand their businesses. It will be essential in assisting investors with due diligence assessments and decision making.

“A cane farmer in Mackay could use the tool to help make decisions about an area’s suitability for higher value break crops, or to identify regional planning interests that apply to their land.

“The tool provides customised maps of agricultural land classifications, important agricultural areas and infrastructure.

“The information is provided free of charge and can be requested by completing a short request form on the department website.

“The user is emailed their customised report in less than an hour after the request is submitted online, providing up-to-the-minute information.”

Mr McVeigh said the assessment reports also provided information relating to other opportunities and constraints within the specified assessment areas.

“Requested reports will cover an assessment area based on a 25 kilometre radius from a central coordinate specified by the user,” Mr McVeigh said.

“The user can then see the different types of agricultural land uses that this assessment area is currently used for, as well as what it might be potentially suitable for.”

For more information please visit - www.daff.qld.gov.au/environment/ag-land-audit.

[ENDS] 23 May 2014

Media Contact: Louise Gillis 0480 709 160