DPI&F OFFICER AWARDED FOR OPERATION FARM CLEAR
Published Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 at 05:16 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries officer Jim Turnour today received a Special Commendation for his role in the Cyclone Larry relief effort.
DPI&F Minister Tim Mulherin said the emergency response to last year’s cyclone had brought out the best in the community.
“The Department recently held a series of awards ceremonies at which more than 300 staff and community members were acknowledged for their significant contribution to the clean up and recovery effort,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Today I am personally thanking Jim Turnour for his leadership of the Department’s highly-successful Operation Farm Clear, which provided much-needed emergency assistance to more than 1000 properties devastated by Cyclone Larry.
“The storm left huge amounts of vegetation and other debris strewn across farms, paddocks and crops, which had a dreadful impact on agriculture from Tully to Cairns, including the Atherton Tablelands.
“Farm Clear crews removed broken and dangerous trees, reopened access to orchards and farmland, and ensured pests and diseases did not gain a foothold.
“Jim Turnour drove that operation. He set up and led the program from day one, liaising with industry and other government agencies to ensure its smooth running for the benefit of those local producers hit hardest by Larry.”
Mr Turnour was presented with his award in Cairns by DPI&F Director General Jim Varghese.
Operation Farm Clear was an initiative of DPI&F, the State Government’s Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package and local primary industry organisations.
The initiative has assisted 306 beef farms, 220 cane properties, 134 banana farms, 107 tree horticulture properties, 70 dairy farms, 87 forestry properties, 35 non-tree horticulture properties, 10 fisheries, one poultry farm, and 70 mixed farming businesses.
Work is continuing to finalise assistance to the last remaining affected properties. The current we weather is delaying some work, and all work will be finalised by 30 June 2007.
Media: 32396530
DPI&F Minister Tim Mulherin said the emergency response to last year’s cyclone had brought out the best in the community.
“The Department recently held a series of awards ceremonies at which more than 300 staff and community members were acknowledged for their significant contribution to the clean up and recovery effort,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Today I am personally thanking Jim Turnour for his leadership of the Department’s highly-successful Operation Farm Clear, which provided much-needed emergency assistance to more than 1000 properties devastated by Cyclone Larry.
“The storm left huge amounts of vegetation and other debris strewn across farms, paddocks and crops, which had a dreadful impact on agriculture from Tully to Cairns, including the Atherton Tablelands.
“Farm Clear crews removed broken and dangerous trees, reopened access to orchards and farmland, and ensured pests and diseases did not gain a foothold.
“Jim Turnour drove that operation. He set up and led the program from day one, liaising with industry and other government agencies to ensure its smooth running for the benefit of those local producers hit hardest by Larry.”
Mr Turnour was presented with his award in Cairns by DPI&F Director General Jim Varghese.
Operation Farm Clear was an initiative of DPI&F, the State Government’s Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package and local primary industry organisations.
The initiative has assisted 306 beef farms, 220 cane properties, 134 banana farms, 107 tree horticulture properties, 70 dairy farms, 87 forestry properties, 35 non-tree horticulture properties, 10 fisheries, one poultry farm, and 70 mixed farming businesses.
Work is continuing to finalise assistance to the last remaining affected properties. The current we weather is delaying some work, and all work will be finalised by 30 June 2007.
Media: 32396530