Category: Other News

BURDEKIN REGION SIGNIFICANT WEATHER EVENT – 27TH/28TH JANUARY 2020

Burdekin region suffered a significant wet weather event early last week with areas experiencing substantial rainfall within a period of approx. 12 hours ranging from 400-500mm causing water inundation to properties. Indications are that damage from this most recent event is worse than the monsoonal event experienced this time last year.

Members have sought clarification in relation to whether any financial assistance is currently available to assist in this event damage recovery. KCGO board is intending to make representation via local State and Federal members for government funding to assist in the recovery effort. In order to provide a summary of impact on KCGO membership would appreciate if growers could provide a brief description of damage sustained and best guesstimate as to costs to undertake rectification works. KCGO will then provide a summary of examples of damage and combined cost to assist in our local members efforts in making representation to state/federal government (no individual grower/farm details will be provided).

Given that some damage repairs will need to be undertaken as a matter of urgency and possible outcome of representations to government may take a little time it is strongly suggested that members retain photographic evidence of damage sustained as well as copies of invoices/quotes etc in the event that financial assistance is secured.

Damage details to be emailed to [email protected]

Thanks.

Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO

QCA INTERIM CONSULTATION PAPER – REGULATED RETAIL ELECTRICITY PRICES FOR 2020-21

On 10 December 2019 the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) received a delegation to set regulated retail electricity prices for regional Queensland from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 from the Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, the Hon Anthony Lynham MP.
To commence the review the QCA released an interim consultation paper to seek stakeholder feedback by 13th January 2020 on how it will determine electricity prices for regional Queensland.
KCGO has lodged a submission on behalf of members, a copy of which follows for your information.
There will be further opportunity to be involved in the consultation process in early April once QCA has issued its draft determination report normally around the end of February.
Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO

QLD GOVERNMENT LAND RESTORATION FUND – FIRST ROUND FUNDING OPENS 28TH JANUARY 2020

The Queensland Government’s $500 million Land Restoration Fund (the Fund) aims to expand carbon farming in the state by supporting land-sector projects that deliver additional environmental, social and economic co-benefits.

The Fund will empower farmers, land managers and landholders with the support needed to generate additional, regular and diverse income streams and protect their business in tough times, through carbon farming projects.

A robust carbon farming industry in Queensland will create regional jobs and contribute to reducing Queensland’s carbon emissions, as well as providing valuable co-benefits like healthier waterways, more habitat for threatened species, and more resilient landscapes.

Applications for the first round of funding will open on 28 January 2020.

Opportunities for Queensland landholders, land managers and farmers
Queensland is well placed to be Australia’s major source of premium land sector carbon credits over the next two decades. Our large and complex environment gives us an advantage in the use of new carbon farming methods that also deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.
Regenerative farming, including carbon farming, offers landholders, land managers and farmers, a tangible way to create a better future for themselves and their families.
Through the Land Restoration Fund, participants can benefit from:
• diversified income
• increased land value
• greater productivity (increased income)
• increased employment (jobs)
• stronger, more resilient communities
• opportunities for collective effort.
Online tools can help potential applicants learn about the benefits from native forest regrowth and make informed decisions about participating in the Fund.
The LOOC-C (pronounced look-see) web tool, produced by CSIRO, is a landscape options and opportunities for carbon abatement calculator. It can assist land managers to decide which methods will be most suitable for their property. It allows land managers to quickly assess options on the land for certain projects offered under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). Implementing the ERF methods identified by LOOC-C estimates increases in the amount of carbon contained in trees or soil in response to identified management activities.
Who can apply to the Land Restoration Fund?
Any Queensland land manager, who has the legal right to do so, can lodge an application either themselves or via an authorised agent. read more