Chem Clear Registrations Reminder
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Category: Other News
Miscellaneous news
Parliamentary Broadcast of Public Hearing
INNOVATION, TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE (ITDEC) PUBLIC HEARING
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (GREAT BARRIER REE PROTECTION MEASURES) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2019
Link to parliamentary broadcast of public hearing held in Brisbane yesterday morning in relation to the above amendment bill is attached from members information.
By invitation only industry stakeholders were given the opportunity to provide evidence to the committee enquiry in relation to legislation amendment bill.
http://tv.parliament.qld.gov.au/Committees?reference=C5016#parentVerticalTab6
Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO
Farmers silenced in Reef Regulations consultation – QFF
Farmers silenced in Reef regulations ‘consultation’
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has questioned the Queensland Government’s ability to represent all Queenslanders after it cancelled public hearings on the new reef catchment regulations in the regions the legislation will impact.
Despite being silenced in the consultation process, the Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 will see a greater regulatory burden placed on Queensland’s farmers while not guaranteeing any benefits for the Great Barrier Reef.
QFF President Stuart Armitage said farmers in the reef catchments affected by these changes had a right to be heard and the Queensland Government had a duty to listen.
“The Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee will only hold one public hearing in Brisbane next week, but this Bill applies to people in coastal regions almost the entire length of the state,” Mr Armitage said.
“QFF acknowledges the Office of the Great Barrier Reef undertook an extended consultation process through the Agricultural Stakeholder Advisory Group, but some of the more concerning elements of the proposed regulations were included after this process.”
“Moreover, the issues raised by agricultural stakeholders have not been reflected in the Bill, so many have seen this process as a ‘presentation exercise’ rather than a consultation process.”
“Clearly, the Committee would benefit from regional hearings to engage directly with those people the proposed regulations will affect.”
Mr Armitage said the situation brought into question whether the basic mechanics of our Parliamentary process were fit for purpose.
“The committees are our ‘house of review’. They must be able to genuinely review legislation and put forward informed recommendations to improve law making in the interests of all Queenslanders,” Mr Armitage said.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Kayla Plunkett – 0448 000 692
ONLINE QFF STATEMENT
Global Sugar Alliance – Countries join forces in WTO action against India
ChemClear – Registration of Chemicals
CHEMCLEAR – REGISTER YOUR CHEMICALS
ChemClear provides Australian agricultural and veterinary chemical users with a collection and disposal pathway for their unwanted chemicals.
Collections are scheduled based on the volume of chemical registrations received by a region and state across Australia.
Growers wishing to register their interest in disposal of chemicals can register either “online”, free call 1800 008 182,
complete and return “ChemClear Inventory Form to mailto:[email protected]
or mail to GPO Box 816 Canberra City.
Link to the process to “Register Your Chemical” is http://www.chemclear.org.au/register-your-chemical/
Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO
SmartCane BMP Incentive Payment
SMARTCANE BMP INCENTIVE PAYMENT – OFFER EXTENDED
Current collective and individual Cane Supply Agreements, Schedule 4 Clause 11 includes an incentive payment for growers who achieve their Accreditation and Certificate for the Smartcane BMP program. Incentive payment was available for the 2017 and 2018 seasons only.
Wilmar have agreed to extend this incentive payment offer of 15 cents per tonne capped at 25,000 tonnes until 1st July 2020 subject to growers registering for Smartcane BMP by 29th March 2019. Accordingly members who want to obtain the Smartcane BMP incentive payment will have to register with Burdekin Productivity Services by the 29th of March 2019 to be eligible. This can be done either online or by attending a workshop at BPS.
As a result of extension, BPS is conducting an extra workshop to be held on Monday 18th March from 1pm-3pm at the BPS office. Growers interested in attending you are asked to contact Jasmine Connolly on 0428 927 079 to register your interest.
Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO
SRA to build knowledge – on-Farm practice and water quality in Great Barrier Reef Catchments
SRA to build industry knowledge on interactions between on-farm practice and water quality in priority Great Barrier Reef catchments
Sugarcane growers in multiple priority catchments of the Great Barrier Reef will gain a clearer understanding of the relationship between farm management and water quality through a new project to be undertaken by Sugar Research Australia (SRA).
Called Cane to Creek 2.0, the project expands on two successful water quality projects that have been running in the Wet Tropics under the direction of SRA.
These projects have looked at herbicide, pesticide and nutrient management in multiple catchments of Far North Queensland. Cane to Creek 2.0 will build on the momentum of these projects and expand their footprint across sugarcane growing regions from Mossman to the Burdekin.
Cane to Creek 2.0 is funded by a partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with support from SRA.
SRA Executive Manager, Regional Delivery, Mr Ian McBean, said this investment would improve understanding and acceptance of the link between farming practices and water quality.
“This will lead to increased adoption of improved practices that have been shown to improve productivity, profitability and sustainability for the sugarcane industry,” Mr McBean said.
“Building on that, Cane to Creek 2.0 will provide a platform in a number of priority catchments for growers, researchers and advisors to agree on and test potential solutions to better match nitrogen and herbicide application to their specific requirements.”
As the lead agency for the Australian sugarcane industry, SRA plays a pivotal role investing in and researching activities related to the interaction between farming systems and water quality.
Mount Sophia farmer Glen Anderson is a keen participant in the existing Cane to Creek project that has been running in the Mulgrave area for the last two years.
“Farmers want to know what’s coming off their farms and whether they can improve it,” Mr Anderson said.
“Farmers learn more on their own farm and it reinforces what we’ve learnt in the workshops, seen in the training, and read in the magazines. By getting involved you can find out exactly what’s coming off your farm and by trying out different practices you can see what difference it makes to your costs, yields and water quality. This is a win for the industry and for our environmental sustainability.”
Fishery Falls grower Len Parisi is also involved in the current project and said it gave him the facts about what was happening on his farm.
“We want to save the reef as well, like everybody else, so that’s what we’re doing here. Although there has been lots of research done on this, as a grower it’s good to have real data, sit down, and have a look at it,” Mr Parisi said.
“As we get more data, we can continue to modify our practices and then we can know that we’re reducing run-off of nutrients and chemicals into the waterways. Then we can educate everybody what we are doing on farm, because we are in a pretty sensitive area.”
For a video of Cane to Creek visit https://sugarresearch.com.au/sra-information/media/
QFF Welcomes funding for Reef projects
QFF welcomes funding for Reef projects
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) will partner with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to deliver two new water quality projects that will support the efforts of farmers and others working with the agricultural sector to safeguard the future of the Reef.
The Reef Alliance Phase Two Project will see industry and NRM groups work with farmers to improve their land management practices. While the Early Career Extension Project will place up to 8 emerging extension officers with organisations that provide agricultural advisory services across the reef catchments to build professional capacity.
QFF President Stuart Armitage, on behalf of all delivery partners across the two projects, welcomed the Foundation’s investment in farmers and agricultural extension officers and their work to improve the quality of water entering Great Barrier Reef.
“Over the next year, Reef Alliance members Burnett Mary Regional Group, CANEGROWERS, Fitzroy Basin Association, NQ Dry Tropics and Terrain NRM, will work with farmers to adopt best management practices that will minimise runoff from farms,” Mr Armitage said.
“Skilled extension professionals will assist farmers increase their uptake of adaptive farm management practices to reduce soil loss, fertiliser application and pesticide runoff.”
“These important environmental stewardship actions will make improvements to the quality of the water leaving the farm and significantly contribute to the health of the Great Barrier Reef.”
“QFF looks forward to working constructively with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, members of the Reef Alliance and the local community to deliver outcomes to improve water quality for the Reef.”
The Reef Alliance Phase Two Project and the Early Career extension officers Project are funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Kayla Plunkett – 0448 000 692
ONLINE QFF STATEMENT
QCA Sunwater Irrigation Price Review Submission
QCA SUNWATER IRRIGATION PRICE REVIEW SUBMISSION
On 29th October 2018 the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) received a Referral and Direction Notice from the Qld Treasurer, Jacki Trad, for an investigation about the pricing practices of Sunwater and Seqwater in relation to rural irrigation prices to apply from 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2024.
To commence the review the QCA sought submissions from both businesses, followed by a series of public consultation meetings throughout the state attended by stakeholders, local water boards and growers. QCA is to provide a draft report to Qld State Government by 31st August 2019 which will then be followed by a further round of public consultations. Stakeholders response to, in KCGO’s case, Sunwater’s submission were to be lodged by 8th March 2019.
KCGO lodged a submission on behalf of members last Friday, a copy of which follows for your information.
Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO
Nufarm Suscon Accreditation – Burdekin Region
NUFARM SUSCON ACCREDITATION – BURDEKIN REGION
Nufarm is rolling out a comprehensive suSCon maxi Intel Stewardship program encompassing technical and application training in 2019. There is no cost to participants in attending . Attendees sit a short exam after the presentations and are issued an Accreditation number which growers will be able to use to receive a rebate on purchases via Nufarm’s website. Session scheduling for the Burdekin is as follows. Resellers will be in attendance however participation is open to growers who use/may use this product.
Date Time Town Group Venue Meal
Wed 27th March 7.00-9.00am Ayr Ag N Vet Ayr RSL breakfast from 7am
Wed 27th March 10.00-11.30am Ayr Elders Ayr Home Hill Ayr RSL Smoko
Wed 27th March 1.00-2.30pm Ayr BGS Ayr RSL Lunch from 12.30
Wed 27th March 6.00-7.30pm Home Hill LMK Ayr Home Hill LMK Ayr Home Hill BBQ dinner Home Hill shed from 5.30pm
Thurs 28th March 8.00-9.30am Ayr BGA Ayr Home Hill Ayr RSL breakfast from 7.30am
Thurs 28th March 10.30-12.00pm Ayr EE Muirs Ayr RSL lunch from 12.00
For any growers interested in attending please contact Nufarm Field Development Officer – North Qld, Nicholas Matthews on mobile 0428 736 660 or email [email protected].
Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO
