Published Tuesday, 24 June, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Minister’s Fresh Approach plan to enhance primary industries
TOWNSVILLE: Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin today unveiled his vision for Queensland primary industries, proposing significant changes to reach an ambitious goal.
In a speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Mr Mulherin said he believed the value of Queensland agriculture would treble to $34 billion by 2020 and he outlined some of the initial steps necessary for that growth.
Mr Mulherin said some major changes were required in his own Department and he would not shy away from making the hard decisions necessary to ensure the best results for Queensland’s primary industries.
The Minister outlined a multi-faceted plan under the theme “A Fresh Approach” based on: providing a coordinated skills training system for more people; attracting investment into agricultural science; and, adapting our services and service delivery to meet the changing needs of clients.
Mr Mulherin said there were major challenges facing primary industries.
“I believe that innovation and productivity growth is the answer,” Mr Mulherin said.
From July 1, the five agricultural colleges, under the Australian Agricultural College Corporation, shift from Education and Training to DPI&F. The colleges are located at Dalby, Emerald, Longreach, the Burdekin and the Atherton Tablelands.
The agricultural colleges will be linked to DPI&Fs' research centres and extension services. They will also be linked to the secondary school curriculum through the establishment of Gateway Schools for Agribusiness.
“Our intention is to upgrade skills across the sector and promote the agricultural sector as a first choice career option for young Queenslanders,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Enhanced vocation, education and training outcomes from these arrangements will inspire and assist students to pursue the undergraduate programs offered by our university partners.”
He said this was vital because the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture had found universities were now producing less than half the number of graduates required by the industry.
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F had to ensure that its research programs were targeted at the areas in which Queensland was recognised nationally as a leader. The emphasis will be on research relevant to beef, horticulture, summer grains, sub-tropical and tropical industries.
“Our aim is to create centres of excellence, supported by world class experimental and field facilities,” he said.
“This can be achieved by closing the old, outdated facilities and reinvesting, with collaborators, in new state-of-the-art facilities.
“To reinforce this new direction, I will be signing a ‘Statement of Intent’ with Professor Sandra Harding, Vice Chancellor at James Cook University, to establish an Australian Institute of Tropical Agricultural Sciences
“This Institute will focus on tropical agriculture, aquaculture and biosecurity …for real outcomes for industry.
“We will work together to attract and retain outstanding scientific staff to North Queensland.”
“I am proposing a number changes, subject to continued stakeholder and community consultation.
“The proposals announced today include:
Tablelands – replacing the ageing and under-utilised Kairi, Walkamin and Southedge research stations with a new purpose-built facility, on an existing or greenfields site. It would incorporate training programs as well as research and extension services.
Burdekin – creating a network of sites around the Burdekin Ag College and the Department’s Ayr and Bowen sites.
Dalby – the tick fever herd now located at Wacol in Brisbane, would relocate to the Ag College property at Dalby. This move is supported by $1 million budgeted to upgrade the site.
Emerald – amalgamating the Ag College and DPI&F facilities.
“I am also committed to establishing an agricultural corridor precinct along the lower Fitzroy River to attract new private sector investment in the cattle feedlot industry,” Mr Mulherin said.
“What I have outlined today are my preliminary thoughts. It is still early days.
“I understand that some aspects of what I have said may challenge some people but changes must be made sooner rather than later.”
Any changes would be progressive over 3-5 years, to minimise disruptions for staff and their work. Assistance would be provided to staff affected by the changes, with some choosing to move to the new locations and others possibly wanting re-training to help them pursue other work options.
Mr Mulherin said many details about proposed changes were still to be finalised and there would be an extensive consultation process involving staff and stakeholders. The Government will work in partnership with QFF and Agforce on the Fresh Approach strategy.
The Minister said he would be announcing new strategic directions for biosecurity and fisheries management in the months ahead.
Prior to the CEDA speech, the Minister provided media with a preview of another Fresh Approach initiative - a DPI&F mobile office, fully equipped to bring a wide range of DPI&F services to producers in regional and remote areas of the state.
Media: David Potter 0409 305 662
In a speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Mr Mulherin said he believed the value of Queensland agriculture would treble to $34 billion by 2020 and he outlined some of the initial steps necessary for that growth.
Mr Mulherin said some major changes were required in his own Department and he would not shy away from making the hard decisions necessary to ensure the best results for Queensland’s primary industries.
The Minister outlined a multi-faceted plan under the theme “A Fresh Approach” based on: providing a coordinated skills training system for more people; attracting investment into agricultural science; and, adapting our services and service delivery to meet the changing needs of clients.
Mr Mulherin said there were major challenges facing primary industries.
“I believe that innovation and productivity growth is the answer,” Mr Mulherin said.
From July 1, the five agricultural colleges, under the Australian Agricultural College Corporation, shift from Education and Training to DPI&F. The colleges are located at Dalby, Emerald, Longreach, the Burdekin and the Atherton Tablelands.
The agricultural colleges will be linked to DPI&Fs' research centres and extension services. They will also be linked to the secondary school curriculum through the establishment of Gateway Schools for Agribusiness.
“Our intention is to upgrade skills across the sector and promote the agricultural sector as a first choice career option for young Queenslanders,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Enhanced vocation, education and training outcomes from these arrangements will inspire and assist students to pursue the undergraduate programs offered by our university partners.”
He said this was vital because the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture had found universities were now producing less than half the number of graduates required by the industry.
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F had to ensure that its research programs were targeted at the areas in which Queensland was recognised nationally as a leader. The emphasis will be on research relevant to beef, horticulture, summer grains, sub-tropical and tropical industries.
“Our aim is to create centres of excellence, supported by world class experimental and field facilities,” he said.
“This can be achieved by closing the old, outdated facilities and reinvesting, with collaborators, in new state-of-the-art facilities.
“To reinforce this new direction, I will be signing a ‘Statement of Intent’ with Professor Sandra Harding, Vice Chancellor at James Cook University, to establish an Australian Institute of Tropical Agricultural Sciences
“This Institute will focus on tropical agriculture, aquaculture and biosecurity …for real outcomes for industry.
“We will work together to attract and retain outstanding scientific staff to North Queensland.”
“I am proposing a number changes, subject to continued stakeholder and community consultation.
“The proposals announced today include:
Tablelands – replacing the ageing and under-utilised Kairi, Walkamin and Southedge research stations with a new purpose-built facility, on an existing or greenfields site. It would incorporate training programs as well as research and extension services.
Burdekin – creating a network of sites around the Burdekin Ag College and the Department’s Ayr and Bowen sites.
Dalby – the tick fever herd now located at Wacol in Brisbane, would relocate to the Ag College property at Dalby. This move is supported by $1 million budgeted to upgrade the site.
Emerald – amalgamating the Ag College and DPI&F facilities.
“I am also committed to establishing an agricultural corridor precinct along the lower Fitzroy River to attract new private sector investment in the cattle feedlot industry,” Mr Mulherin said.
“What I have outlined today are my preliminary thoughts. It is still early days.
“I understand that some aspects of what I have said may challenge some people but changes must be made sooner rather than later.”
Any changes would be progressive over 3-5 years, to minimise disruptions for staff and their work. Assistance would be provided to staff affected by the changes, with some choosing to move to the new locations and others possibly wanting re-training to help them pursue other work options.
Mr Mulherin said many details about proposed changes were still to be finalised and there would be an extensive consultation process involving staff and stakeholders. The Government will work in partnership with QFF and Agforce on the Fresh Approach strategy.
The Minister said he would be announcing new strategic directions for biosecurity and fisheries management in the months ahead.
Prior to the CEDA speech, the Minister provided media with a preview of another Fresh Approach initiative - a DPI&F mobile office, fully equipped to bring a wide range of DPI&F services to producers in regional and remote areas of the state.
Media: David Potter 0409 305 662