Impacts of a week of wild weather on Queensland agriculture

Published Friday, 31 March, 2017 at 06:24 PM

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Economic Development
The Honourable Bill Byrne

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne today convened the second meeting of the state’s Agricultural Co-ordination Group, which will provide information and advice on the recovery effort in the wake of Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

“The cyclone and its aftermath has inflicted widespread damage and work is under way in conjunction with key industry representatives to help us understand the full impact on producers,” the Minister said.

“The Agricultural Co-ordination Group raised the issue of the emotional and social welfare of primary producers and that is a top priority of the Palaszczuk Government.

“Community Recovery Hubs have been established in Bowen and Mackay and as communication infrastructure is restored, I urge anyone distressed by their situation to seek assistance.”

Minister Byrne said producers could log on to http://www.farmerdisastersupport.org.au for information about how to access support networks.

“My department is working closely with industry organisations to ensure help is available for those who require it,” he said.

Minister Byrne said 20 staff, from as far afield as Mareeba, Cairns and Townsville, were already working on the regional recovery response.

Six DAF officers would be on the ground over the weekend and early next week conducting industry impact assessments where it is safe to access.

However, Minister Byrne cautioned some primary production areas may not be accessible for some time.

A QRAA officer will be at the Mackay Community Recovery Hub at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre from 9am to 4:30pm tomorrow to work with primary producers and small business owners. More information on the assistance offered through QRAA is available at www.qraa.qld.gov.au or on Freecall 1 800 623 946.

DAF and QRAA officers will be available at the Bowen Community Hub at the Bowen TAFE Campus on Queens Road from Monday. The DAF Mobile Office will be set up from Monday at the DAF Delta Research Station, which has sustained cyclone damage.

The Minister said information was still coming in about the impact of flooding away from the main cyclone impact zone in the Whitsunday and Mackay local council areas.

“It is still far too early to put a Dollar figure on the loss of crops and damage to infrastructure and machinery, but departmental staff are conducting impact assessments in areas where it is now safe to access.

“In the Burdekin they are reporting that there has been limited damage to cane, but mung bean crops have been damaged.”

Preliminary industry reports indicate that:

  • According to Canegrowers, 100% of the crop is damaged to varying degrees in Proserpine, with a projected 25%in sugar production this season.
  • Vegetable crops in Bowen look to have suffered a 100% loss of the early plant, with around $13 million in direct planting costs and costs in excess of $100 million for lost production, not including infrastructure damage.
  • At this stage there are anecdotal reports of stock losses in the grazing industry but information is limited due to rising flood waters.
  • Reports of floods exceeding the levee and damaging cotton fields on the Mackenzie River at Big Bend.
  • The loss of power was adversely affecting aquaculture businesses in Bowen, Mackay and Sarina

The Queensland Agricultural Coordination Group includes Growcom, Agforce, Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF), Brisbane Markets, Canegrowers, Local Government Association of Queensland, Timber Queensland, Cotton Australia, Australian Sugar Milling Council, Queensland Seafood Industry Association, Australian Banana Growers, Queensland Dairyfarmers, Pork Queensland and United Egg Producers, QRAA and the Queensland Departments of Agriculture and Fisheries, Premier and Cabinet and Transport and Main Roads.

Media: 0448 994 172

ENDS