Category: Other News

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”

SUGAR RESEARCH AUSTRALIA – STRATEGY FOR INDUSTRY LED ADOPTION ACTIVITIES (INDUSTRY ADOPTION STRATEGY)

In 2017 SRA finalised an “Industry Adoption Strategy” which has since seen the appointment of Anthony Curro as Regional Coordinator for the Burdekin Region. This strategy is to be overseen by an Industry Adoption Advisory Committee (IAAC) who will be responsible for identifying priority projects for recommendation to the SRA Board. Regional Adoption Advisory Committees (RAACs) are to be established in each of the six sugar regions and will include grower/miller representation which will replace the previous role of “SRA Delegates” with committee tasked with developing regional specific adoption priorities and strategies. Grower chairman and miller vice chairman of the six RAACs will be a part of the IAAC along with SRA regional coordinator from each region.

This is a chance for growers/members to have direct input into of issues of importance to the industry from a local/regional perspective. SRA regional coordinator, Anthony Curro is now seeking nominations from local growers from various districts within the Burdekin region who are interested in this opportunity.

Please find attached overview of industry adoption & investment strategy process as well as grower information/selection criteria.

Any growers interested in nominating please contact this office and your details will be passed onto Anthony Curro who will then contact growers direct.

Nominations are to be submitted by Friday 19^th October.

Regards.

Les Elphinstone

Manger KCGO

Grower Rep Nomination below: