25 November, 2022 - Council Supports Friends Of Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) Deputation To Queensland Parliament

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Published
25th November 2022

The Friends of Sugar is an initiative of the Australian Sugar Milling Council aimed at strengthening support for the sugar industry whilst recognising the socio-economic contribution that the sugar industry makes to Queensland. The Friends of Sugar recently attended Queensland Parliament with representation from the Cassowary Coast including Cr Barry Barnes and Mr Andrew Yu, Tully Sugar Limited CEO.

Cr. Barnes acknowledged the importance of sugar being a significant industry within the Cassowary Coast agricultural sector contributing $346m to the local economy and employing 1,651 people in 2021-21 (as per the ASMC economic analysis).

More broadly, the sugar industry is also an important industry for Australia with our country being the second largest raw sugar exporter in the world generated from 4,000 cane farm businesses and 22 Australian sugar mills with $2.5bn value of production (canegrowers.com.au).

“Sugar has been the foundation of many communities and farms across our region and we have a very strong and proud industry which Council recognises and supports and acknowledges that there are many challenges facing the industry as we move forward,” said Cr Barnes.

“Global factors have had significant impacts on supply chain and farm inputs and there are potential diversification opportunities to be explored which was part of our recent conversations at Parliament House.”

Whilst at Parliament House Cr Barnes and Mr Yu, along with other delegation members, met with Hon Dr Steven Miles, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure; Mr Nick Dametto, Member for Hinchinbrook; and Mr Shane Knuth, Member for Hill to further discuss regional diversification opportunities with a focus on renewable energy and bio-fuels which are reflected in the Queensland Government’s 10 year Energy and Jobs Plan. 

Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Mark Nolan said, “I welcomed the opportunity for Cr Barnes to contribute to this delegation, and I look forward to Council continuing to provide leadership through working collaboratively with industry and government to seek out new opportunities which support sustainable outcomes for sugar and other industries within our region.”