Published Tuesday, 22 May, 2007 at 01:47 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Seminar puts focus on water use in food production
With water a major issue in drought-affected Queensland these days, food producers throughout the State are looking at how they can improve their use of this precious resource.
To give them a hand, the Queensland Government is organising a special seminar on Thursday 31 May from 6-9pm at Brisbane Technology Park, aimed at educating food manufacturers about the effective and efficient use of water in food production.
Queensland Minister for State Development John Mickel said the seminar would be invaluable to water conservation in Queensland, helping businesses to reduce their water consumption.
“It’s critical that we all learn to reduce our water consumption these days. But it’s important to realise that that doesn’t necessarily mean for business a reduction in their profits. It can be an opportunity and this seminar will demonstrate that,” Mr Mickel said.
He said the seminar would also show the various Government grants and subsidies available to food manufacturers to help them reduce their water use.
Mr Mickel said for example the Government had allocated $40 million to assist business implement water saving measures through the Business Water Efficiency Program (BWEP).
“Its goal is to reduce water consumption by up to 20 megalitres a day across south-east Queensland through the implementation of water efficient management practices by business and industry,” Mr Mickel said.
“Water is a key processing medium in many food production plants and is used in various steps , including cooling, washing, heating, cooking, sanitising, transport and clean-up.
“What is not always clear are the benefits of using less water. For example, reducing water use reduces water delivery costs – you pay less in your rates. Also, by using water efficiently, a food producer can develop more efficient processes and operations that will save money in the long-run, increasing their competitive advantage and gaining valuable public respect,” Mr Mickel said.
He said the “Water in Food Production” seminar would feature industry speakers, including:
• Mr Krrishna Kanduri from the Environmental Protection Agency who would talk about the Government’s ecoBiz program, which helped businesses adapt resource-efficient practices that were good financially and good for the environment;
• Mr Ed Ebert from SEQ Water who would discuss the Business Water Efficiency Program, and
• Ms Toni Cooper and Mr Chris Wold from Queensland Health’s Environmental Health Unit who would discuss the use of recycled water in food production.
The seminar is the second in a series run this year for Queensland food processors by the Department of State Development’s Processed Foods unit.
A previous seminar on entering the airline catering industry was a huge success with over 80 firms participating.
For further information about the ‘Water in Food Production’ seminar, or to register your attendance, please contact Processed Foods, Department of State Development, tel (07) 3224 2385 or email: food@qld.gov.au
Bookings are essential.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
22 May, 2007
To give them a hand, the Queensland Government is organising a special seminar on Thursday 31 May from 6-9pm at Brisbane Technology Park, aimed at educating food manufacturers about the effective and efficient use of water in food production.
Queensland Minister for State Development John Mickel said the seminar would be invaluable to water conservation in Queensland, helping businesses to reduce their water consumption.
“It’s critical that we all learn to reduce our water consumption these days. But it’s important to realise that that doesn’t necessarily mean for business a reduction in their profits. It can be an opportunity and this seminar will demonstrate that,” Mr Mickel said.
He said the seminar would also show the various Government grants and subsidies available to food manufacturers to help them reduce their water use.
Mr Mickel said for example the Government had allocated $40 million to assist business implement water saving measures through the Business Water Efficiency Program (BWEP).
“Its goal is to reduce water consumption by up to 20 megalitres a day across south-east Queensland through the implementation of water efficient management practices by business and industry,” Mr Mickel said.
“Water is a key processing medium in many food production plants and is used in various steps , including cooling, washing, heating, cooking, sanitising, transport and clean-up.
“What is not always clear are the benefits of using less water. For example, reducing water use reduces water delivery costs – you pay less in your rates. Also, by using water efficiently, a food producer can develop more efficient processes and operations that will save money in the long-run, increasing their competitive advantage and gaining valuable public respect,” Mr Mickel said.
He said the “Water in Food Production” seminar would feature industry speakers, including:
• Mr Krrishna Kanduri from the Environmental Protection Agency who would talk about the Government’s ecoBiz program, which helped businesses adapt resource-efficient practices that were good financially and good for the environment;
• Mr Ed Ebert from SEQ Water who would discuss the Business Water Efficiency Program, and
• Ms Toni Cooper and Mr Chris Wold from Queensland Health’s Environmental Health Unit who would discuss the use of recycled water in food production.
The seminar is the second in a series run this year for Queensland food processors by the Department of State Development’s Processed Foods unit.
A previous seminar on entering the airline catering industry was a huge success with over 80 firms participating.
For further information about the ‘Water in Food Production’ seminar, or to register your attendance, please contact Processed Foods, Department of State Development, tel (07) 3224 2385 or email: food@qld.gov.au
Bookings are essential.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
22 May, 2007