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Media Release – The Hon. David Littleproud MP Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources

Kalagro

Media Release – The Hon. David Littleproud MP Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources

Making smart farming ideas a reality

14 November 2018

  • More than $9 million is available under Round two of Smart Farms Small Grants.
  • Grants of between $5,000 and $200,000 to assist farmers and groups to adapt to change, innovate and become more sustainable.
  • Part of the National Landcare Program’s $134 million Smart Farms Program.

Landholders and community groups can now apply for up to $200,000 under round 2 of Smart Farms Small Grants.

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud encouraged Landcare groups, NRM bodies, Indigenous organisations and community groups to throw their hat in the ring.

“The future of Aussie agriculture relies on sustainable farming and land management practices,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Our farmers are looking for new practices and tools to stay sustainable and profitable.

“These grants support new projects to improve Aussie soil, biodiversity and vegetation.

“They will also help support water security and promote climate-smart farming.

“Ultimately, this leads to more profitable agriculture, fishing and forestry industries.

“I know there’s exceptional ideas out there, and these grants can make them a reality.

“The first round of funding was highly competitive, attracting over 800 applications.

“I strongly encourage those who missed out in Round 1 to apply again.”

More information is available online. Visit the Community Grants Hub to apply.

Fast facts:

  • Smart Farms Small Grants is a competitive grant funding opportunity.
  • It supports projects to increase farming, forestry and fishing communities’ knowledge and capacity to adopt sustainable agricultural best practice. 
  • Almost $5 million in funding was awarded to 77 projects under Round 1.
  • More than $9 million is available for Round 2.
  • The National Landcare Program’s 2nd phase is investing more than $1 billion over six years to 2023, with $134 million for the Smart Farms Program.
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    Queensland Competition Authority

    Kalagro

    QUEENSLAND COMPETITION AUTHORITY – REVIEW OF IRRIGATION PRICES FOR SUNWATER AND SEQWATER’S WATER SUPPLY SCHEME

    On 29 October 2018, Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) received a referral notice from the Qld Government Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham directing them to investigate pricing practices relating to the monopoly business activities of SunWater and Seqwater undertaken for irrigation services. Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said a comprehensive study by the QCA would underpin the irrigation pricing structures for years 2020-24.

    “The goal is for irrigators to have greater pricing certainty, simplicity and transparency to allow them to plan for future years,’’ Dr Lynham said.

    “As part of the review process, extensive consultation will be undertaken with stakeholders and water users to ensure we strike the right balance between the interests of customers and businesses. The QCA will be required to limit annual price increases similar to previous reviews.”

    “I encourage all SunWater and Seqwater irrigation customers to get involved in the QCA consultation process. The more customers that participate in the process – the more informed the Government will be when it is time to consider the QCA recommendations and lock in irrigation prices in 2020,” Dr Lynham said.

    The key objective of the investigation is to recommend irrigation prices for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2024. The Government will begin its consideration of future prices with the release of the QCA’s draft report in August 2019.

    Public consultation will be a key part of the QCA’s decision-making process and QCA invites customers and other stakeholders to register to receive ongoing information about the investigation http://www.qca.org.au/Subscribe

    Depending on stakeholder interest, QCA also plans to conduct regional workshops during this investigation. Please register your interest in attending workshops http://www.qca.org.au/IrrigationWorkshops . Workshops with interested stakeholders are likely to take place January/early February 2019. read more

    SUNWATER AND LOWER BURDEKIN WATER RATES AND CHARGES

    Kalagro

    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 5th 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

    Rabobank Sugar Symposium – Food Energy Future 2018

    Kalagro

    IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE RABOBANK SUGAR SYMPOSIUM – FOOD ENERGY FUTURE 2018

    There is still time to register your attendance for this event with RSVP now extended to 8th November. Updated invitation now includes guest speakers together with link to bio on the speakers and their topics along with the agenda for the event . All KCGO members are welcome to attend.

    thumbnail of Announcing the speakers and final program for Rabobank