Published Sunday, 11 February, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
PREMIER VISITS ‘BACK IN BUSINESS’ AVOCADO FARM - ATHERTON
Premier Peter Beattie today saw first hand how the State Government’s Operation Farm Clear program provided much-needed emergency assistance to more than 900 properties devastated by last year’s cyclones.
Mr Beattie visited Atherton avocado farmer Jim Kochi’s orchard, which is now back on track and gearing up for harvest.
“Cyclones Larry and Monica dumped huge amounts of debris on farms, paddocks and in crops and this was disastrous for farm businesses right across the region, from Tully to Cairns, including the Atherton Tablelands,” Mr Beattie said.
“Jim’s place was one of these. Windbreaks were destroyed or seriously damaged, more than 400 orchard trees were lost, and debris was left everywhere, even preventing access to the hundreds of remaining avocado trees. Now that’s a dire position for a farm business to be in.”
Operation Farm Clear was set up to give much-needed outside help to producers after the cyclones.
The program is an initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, the State Government’s Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package and local primary industry organisations.
Mr Kochi said the windbreak trees, lost during Cyclone Larry, provided important protection against storms which cause fruit to drop and damages flowering and fruit setting.
The Farm Clear crews helped Mr Kochi remove broken and dangerous trees, restore access to the avocados, and ensure pests and diseases did not gain a foothold.
“Without the skills of experienced tree fellers, farmers and other people, we would have risked serious injury,” Mr Kochi said.
“We can always wait for income to come in, but the loss of life or serious injury would ruin our future forever. We are grateful and appreciative of the Farm Clear assistance.”
Mr Kochi said the avocado crop would be smaller this year because of the cyclone damage, but the orchard was recovering: “We’re definitely back in business.”
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said another benefit of Operation Farm Clear was it provided on-the-job training for workers, including many from across the region who lost their jobs because of the cyclones.
“Many of the crews now have the added experience and skills that will give them more work across all primary industries – and that’s good news for the region,” Mr Mulherin said.
Operation Farm Clear has assisted some 306 beef farms, 193 cane properties, 125 banana farms, 98 tree horticulture properties, 70 dairy farms, 65 forestry properties, 33 non-tree horticulture properties, 10 fisheries, one poultry farm, and 61 mixed farming businesses.
Mr Mulherin congratulated Operation Farm Clear manager Jim Turnour (DPI&F) and his team for their efforts, coordinating crews and bringing in heavy machinery and equipment to get the work done.
“It was a challenge they met it with outstanding results,” he said.
Sunday, February 11, 2006
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office Paul Cronin 0418 795 940
Minister’s Office David Potter 0409 305 662
Mr Beattie visited Atherton avocado farmer Jim Kochi’s orchard, which is now back on track and gearing up for harvest.
“Cyclones Larry and Monica dumped huge amounts of debris on farms, paddocks and in crops and this was disastrous for farm businesses right across the region, from Tully to Cairns, including the Atherton Tablelands,” Mr Beattie said.
“Jim’s place was one of these. Windbreaks were destroyed or seriously damaged, more than 400 orchard trees were lost, and debris was left everywhere, even preventing access to the hundreds of remaining avocado trees. Now that’s a dire position for a farm business to be in.”
Operation Farm Clear was set up to give much-needed outside help to producers after the cyclones.
The program is an initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, the State Government’s Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package and local primary industry organisations.
Mr Kochi said the windbreak trees, lost during Cyclone Larry, provided important protection against storms which cause fruit to drop and damages flowering and fruit setting.
The Farm Clear crews helped Mr Kochi remove broken and dangerous trees, restore access to the avocados, and ensure pests and diseases did not gain a foothold.
“Without the skills of experienced tree fellers, farmers and other people, we would have risked serious injury,” Mr Kochi said.
“We can always wait for income to come in, but the loss of life or serious injury would ruin our future forever. We are grateful and appreciative of the Farm Clear assistance.”
Mr Kochi said the avocado crop would be smaller this year because of the cyclone damage, but the orchard was recovering: “We’re definitely back in business.”
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said another benefit of Operation Farm Clear was it provided on-the-job training for workers, including many from across the region who lost their jobs because of the cyclones.
“Many of the crews now have the added experience and skills that will give them more work across all primary industries – and that’s good news for the region,” Mr Mulherin said.
Operation Farm Clear has assisted some 306 beef farms, 193 cane properties, 125 banana farms, 98 tree horticulture properties, 70 dairy farms, 65 forestry properties, 33 non-tree horticulture properties, 10 fisheries, one poultry farm, and 61 mixed farming businesses.
Mr Mulherin congratulated Operation Farm Clear manager Jim Turnour (DPI&F) and his team for their efforts, coordinating crews and bringing in heavy machinery and equipment to get the work done.
“It was a challenge they met it with outstanding results,” he said.
Sunday, February 11, 2006
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office Paul Cronin 0418 795 940
Minister’s Office David Potter 0409 305 662