WEEKLY BULLETIN

QFF ATTENDS BASIN PLAN RESPONSE COLLECTIVE

QFF is attending today a Basin Plan Response Collective in Sydney, gathering key stakeholders in the Murray-Darling reform process together to discuss the recent release of the guide to the Proposed Basin Plan, and policy development in the months ahead. The collective is bringing together irrigator groups, local government, financial institutions, and representatives from major businesses. The breadth of representation shows just how critical the future of the Murray Darling Basin is to all communities.

ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE CHARTS 10 YEAR TRANSITION FOR QUEENSLAND

THE Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand held a one-day workshop in Brisbane where industry and government environmental practitioners attempted to define the risks and rewards facing key Queensland industries as they adjust to changing climate and climate policies. While five industries were in focus (mining, agriculture, construction, manufacturing and transport) it was clear that coal and the energy sector were of greatest interest because of flow-on effects across all sectors. Most of the discussions were on the transition pathways to a “carbon constrained world”, but there was little consensus on where this journey may take Queensland industry given unclear price and policy signals. Because Queensland is highly dependent on coal and export markets, and also vulnerable to climate change, there is a “self interest” need to be less complacent about changes that will impact our key businesses, including farming. There emerged a general consensus that Queensland will need to move towards a diversified portfolio of energy investments, otherwise our very favourable comparative advantage could be quickly eroded as the “price of carbon” rises. It seems higher electricity prices are an inevitable consequence of the global trend to reduce dependence on coal and products and processes with high greenhouse gas footprints.

MDBA CONCLUDES REGIONAL MEETINGS ON BASIN PLAN

THE Murray Darling Basin Authority has concluded regional Queensland information sessions on water cutbacks in the Murray Darling Basin had concluded, but it is vital that the government and the Authority continue to engage the community. Queensland irrigators at meetings in St George, Dalby, and Goondiwindi made forceful yet sensible insights into their frustrations with the process. One of the take-home messages from the meetings was that communities and irrigators were standing together. They told the authority that these cuts have the potential to hit at several levels, not just on farms and production. The farmers left behind when the water is removed could face higher transaction costs and a lower critical mass of production, and there also stands to be an impact throughout the community. To balance these impacts against a sustainable basin QFF believes we need to have all the information available to all the stakeholders and the current drip feeding of what is only partial information to the community must end and end immediately. QFF is calling on Queensland Minister Stephen Robertson and Federal Water Minister Tony Burke to work together to assess the next plan of action to regain some sense in this planning process and to deliver on a program that supports – not alienates – our Queensland communities.

TONY BURKE ROLLS THE DICE ON LNG PROJECTS

ENVIRONMENTAL approvals announced recently for liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities at Gladstone will likely trigger sweeping coal seam gas (CSG) projects in the Surat Basin, at a time when the rapid expansion of the industry is outpacing the science and planning. Late Friday afternoon, Environment Minister Tony Burke announced environmental approvals for major LNG developments at Gladstone. While the agricultural industry does not wish to stand against development that supports a diverse economy, QFF remains very concerned about the slow planning progress surrounding CSG. This is especially the case given the myriad of scientific details that remain under debate.
Last week, AgForce and other groups called for a moratorium on CSG. QFF raised the prospect of a moratorium six months ago, indicating there was a strong argument for the government to adopt a precautionary principal with CSG development, given the government has been willing to quickly do this for other areas of State planning. QFF is working with the State Government to develop a fair policy for strategic cropping land in Queensland, but the potential for fast growth is a risk for farmland, underground water, and the environment. This risk is now heightened following the approvals for the LNG facility at Gladstone.
All of these concerns were exacerbated earlier last week with reports that testing in eight exploration wells near Miles had revealed traces of BTEX chemicals. While the traces were small, it again raises a red flag for the gas industry and the importance of protecting agricultural land.

MEMBER NEWS

COTTON AUSTRALIA WARMS UP WATER DEBATE IN CANBERRA

COTTON Australia was in Canberra last week lobbying government to secure a fair go for rural communities on the guide to Proposed Murray Darling Basin Plan. CEO Adam Kay said the campaign of briefings with key independents and continued discussions with Ministers Burke and Ludwig and Minister Crean’s office has already brought some results. “Following our discussions with Water Minister Tony Burke, he subsequently admitted in parliament that his department has been ordered to review the Water Act legislation and clarify exactly what the act stipulates for the Murray Darling Basin Authority. This is a huge step forward, ensuring that the Water Act can actually deliver on the triple bottom line approach, when the environment, towns and irrigation all share equal weight under the legislation is something we have been working hard to have clarified.” Mr Kay said if this departmental review proves the current Water Act can’t do the job, then that lends support to a complete overhaul of the Act, which could eventually mean a much fairer approach to water reform.
Mr Kay says the Australian cotton industry has always supported water reform with the government purchasing from willing sellers at full market price, when that process takes into full account the impact on the environment, rural communities and irrigated industries.

OTHER NEWS

PROJECT CATALYST WINS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

A PARTNERSHIP between Reef Catchments, the Coca-Cola Foundation, WWF, and the State and Federal governments has won its category in the recent Banksia Environmental Awards in the Agriculture and Food Category. Entitled Project Catalyst, the project aims to help cane farmers in the Mackay Whitsunday region to improve water quality and reduce the impact of pollution onto the Great Barrier Reef using innovative land practices. Year one results have exceeded expectations. Precision application of chemicals reduced nutrient pollution by 60%, herbicide pollution by 95% and satellite-controlled machinery reduced the volume of run-off from heavy clay soils by 20%. The water quality of more than 24,000 megalitres of runoff and drainage water leading to the GBR improved. The judges found that having a major impact on a very sensitive ecosystem was an important feature which could be translated to other areas around the globe experiencing similar issues. It was achieved by bringing together a diverse group of industry, government and business partners

NEW ERA FOR QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH

THE Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation (QAAFI) has been launched this past week with a view to cementing Queensland’s position as an international leader in tropical and subtropical agriculture and food research. QAAFI is a new Institute of The University of Queensland (UQ) formed through an alliance between UQ and the Queensland Government’s Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI). Plant, animal and food scientists from both organisations will work together to develop new technologies and practices to benefit these important industries. It is hoped that QAAFI will strengthen Queensland’s collective capacity to deliver high-impact research and development outcomes in areas that will not only benefit Queensland industries, but will also put Queensland on the map as a world leader in tropical and subtropical agriculture and food research. The range of research to be undertaken at QAAFI is extensive and highly industry focused. The outcomes are expected to return millions of dollars to Queensland agriculture and food industries in the future. Thirty-four senior DEEDI researchers have transitioned to QAAFI and by the end of 2010 a total of 100 research teams linked to QAAFI will be in place. Minister for Primary Industries, Tim Mulherin, said the formation of QAAFI represents $6.5 million partnership between the Queensland Government and UQ. QAAFI staff will be based at 11 sites distributed across UQ campuses and Queensland Government research stations and centres, which will facilitate regional linkages and allow for further collaboration with other organisations and research centres.

SAFE WORK WEEK ON NOW

SAFE Work Australia Week (SWAW) has begun and will run until October 30, with key events to be run across Queensland featuring the event’s ambassador, Mal Meninga. Each year in Queensland there is about 100 work-related fatalities and nearly 30,000 serious injuries and diseases where workers either permanently impaired or seriously injured. Workplace incidents cost the Queensland economy over $5.2 billion each year. For more information on getting involved visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au