Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) has today met with Senator Susan McDonald and was joined remotely by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto in Townsville in Ingham, to push for the state and federal governments to declare a Category D emergency and unlock funding for flood-affected farmers.

QCAR Chief Strategy Officer Michael Kern and QCAR Herbert District Manager Lawrence Di Bella, along with AgForce North Queensland Director Michael Penna, spoke on behalf of QCAR members and others in the agricultural industry to also request financial help towards rebuilding and repairing infrastructure, and replanting flood-damaged sugarcane.

Mr Di Bella said QCAR also pushed for help regarding making mental health services available, financing the cleaning of drainage networks and repair of riverbanks, supporting the harvesting sector, and repairing the rail networks vital to any chance of kicking off the 2025 crush in time.

Mr Di Bella, whose family runs sugarcane farms in Ingham, said he hopes to return home on Thursday, and would continue over the coming days and weeks pursuing all avenues to support QCAR members through this disaster event.

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For media interviews, please contact QCAR Herbert District Manager Lawrence Di Bella on 0448 084 252

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