Queensland Cane, Agricultural, and Renewables (QCAR) hosted a pivotal Sugarcane Industry Forum at the Burdekin Theatre in Ayr on Tuesday 23 July 2024, attracting around 160 participants from Sarina to Mossman. The forum brought together sugarcane producers, unions, renewable energy experts, and other stakeholders to address critical challenges in the sugarcane industry, develop collaborative solutions, and explore opportunities for renewable energy and future sustainability.

QCAR CEO Stephen Ryan said, I want to highlight the urgency of addressing the current issues. The reliability of our sugar mills has significantly declined over the past two decades, impacting not only the growers and contractors but also the broader community. It is essential that we come together to find viable solutions to these pressing problems.

“We want to support the industry through these challenges so we can continue growing and thriving. By working together, we can ensure the sustainability and profitability of Queensland’s sugarcane sector for future generations. The results of our recent survey indicate that 87% of respondents are dissatisfied with the current state of the industry, its ability to support local communities, and the commitment of their region’s mill owners. This widespread discontent underscores the urgent need for improvement, but we can turn this around.”

The forum also featured insights from Liam Sharkey of the Electrical Trades Union Queensland, who discussed the union’s concerns and the upcoming commissioner-assisted bargaining and the ETU’s commitment to bridging the gap and reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.

QCAR Chair Christian Lago said with sugar prices at a historic high, the industry should be thriving, yet we face uncertainty, anger, and anxiety within our communities. We must come together, acknowledge faults, and work towards creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for the sugarcane industry.

“Mossman mill has been forced to close, and the community is unsure about the future. The lack of government policy and vision has failed this community. This forum is an opportunity to openly discuss our challenges and collaboratively develop solutions. We must come together, acknowledge our faults, and work towards creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for the sugarcane industry”. Mr Lago said.

AgForce Cane President, Russell Hall said our industry is facing significant problems from Mossman down to Northern New South Wales. Whether it’s milling performance, labour shortages, reef regulations, or government constraints, we must find ways to overcome these obstacles. The farming and harvesting sectors have evolved significantly, and it’s time for the rest of the industry to catch up”.

“Mark Richards, Director of Commercial from Energy Estate, inspired us with his vision for Queensland as a green energy superpower. He highlighted the potential to harness our natural resources, particularly sugarcane, to produce green molecules for both domestic and international markets. This vision aligns with our efforts to diversify the sugarcane industry and embrace renewable energy opportunities.

“I would like to thank QCAR for taking the initiative to organise an all-inclusive stakeholder forum, even if some decided not to attend. It’s rare to see an agricultural collective solely focused on what is good for the industry, community, and its members. Here at AgForce, I’m happy to be working with QCAR on these important issues that affect our community and on uniting as many people as possible” Mr Hall said.

Mr Lago said QCAR aims to lead the conversation among stakeholders, confront the challenges, and forge a path forward to securing a stronger future for the sugarcane industry. We must work together to ensure the sustainability and profitability of our industry.

QCAR remains committed to evaluating the feedback and ideas from the forum to determine the necessary steps forward. The organisation calls on everyone impacted by the sugarcane industry to share their perspectives and work collectively towards addressing the current crisis and working towards a brighter future.

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