Category: Other News

LOWER BURDEKIN WATER GROUNDWATER SURVEY

I refer to our previous post of 31 October in relation to assistance available to growers to meet water rates and levy charges as well as text messages in relation to current LBW groundwater survey.

Following LBW board meeting held last Thursday the following response has been received.

“The Board have asked LBW Management to distribute a communique to all LBW groundwater irrigators and stakeholder groups, expanding on the information sheet provided with the initial survey letter and maps to each grower.  Kalagro’s queries will be addressed in this communique.  Management are scheduled to meet on the morning of Monday 5^th of November, where the communique will be finalised and distributed shortly thereafter.

The Board also considered your second request regarding an extension of the payment due dates and that no interest be applied to unpaid annual area rates and water invoices this year.  As per LBW policy, ratepayers may request to enter into a payment plan with LBW.  Each request shall be considered on an individual basis by either the Finance Manager or the Executive Officer, dependent upon the time period extension requested.  All payment plans entered into by LBW and ratepayers will be executed in accordance with LBW policy, including any applicable interest charges.”

Les Elphinstone

Manager KCGO

Proposed Change in the Composition of Water Authority Boards Section 598A(2)

of the Water Act 2000.

Good afternoon members,

Roadvale Water Board have organised a petition in relation to the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy’s proposed change to the election procedure.  If you would like to participate in the e-petition there is a link below. KCGO encourages members, family and friends to support petition in an effort to keep community control with continued election of directors by local water board’s ratepayers.

Petition against the proposed changes to Category 2 Water Boards has been approved by the Queensland Parliament.

 “It has been proposed by the Palaszczuk Labor Government that the way in which Category 2 Water Boards are put in place is changed from an election process to a nomination procedure. This nomination procedure could potentially remove local voices, with local knowledge, by removing the election of directors by local water users, replacing democratic elections with a costly and complex nomination process where directors are subject ultimately to Ministerial appointment. Presently a number of Category 2 Authorities, including the Roadvale Water Board, are operated by a dedicated team of local board directors elected from within the community and contribute exponentially more than remuneration received.”

This petition is open to all Queensland residents and includes all Cat 2 Water Boards.

Click this link to open the E-Petition: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=3021

This E-Petition closes on 29/10/2018.

Your support is appreciated.

Les Elphinstone

Manager KCGO

QLD Rural Debt Survey Presentation

Recently had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Qld Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) to local agricultural industry bodies, accountants and financial institutions in relation to the 2017 Qld Rural Debt Survey as well as their Farm Debt Services.

About QRIDA

QRIDA has been supporting Queensland’s primary producers for more than 20 years, providing opportunities to build business sustainability and profitability, recover from drought and natural disasters and pursue their business goals.

QRIDA have nine (9) Regional Area Managers located throughout Queensland who can meet with clients and stakeholders on property to discuss individual goals and situations, explain  different schemes and walk through the application process. At QRIDA, they’re excited to partner with rural industry to develop and improve regional communities.

Pertinent Points From 2017 Survey – Sugar

• 6% of overall rural debt in Qld relates to sugar of which 80.70% is rated viable under most/all circumstances
• 8% of sugar debt is located in Northern Coastal Qld – Mackay to Cairns
• Sugar industry debt in Northern Coastal Qld – total debt $880m an increase of 7.64% over previous survey conducted in 2011, number of borrowers 1668 an increase of 15.75%, average $ debt per borrower $528k a decrease of 7.01%

Farm Debt Services

1. Farm Business Debt Mediation

• Improve efficient and equitable pathways for farmers and mortgagees

2. Farm Debt Restructure Office

• Create proactive communication and actions between lenders and primary producers – “financial distress”