MURRAY DARLING MAY SET PRECEDENT FOR REGULATION OF STOCK AND DOMESTIC USE OF WATER
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) last week raised concerns in regards to the use of water for stock and domestic purposes which could be regulated in Queensland water resource plans, if policies being developed for the preparation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan are applied nation-wide. The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) intends to include the use of stock and domestic water from rivers, bores or farm dams in the calculation of enforceable limits on the quantities of surface water and groundwater that can be taken by farmers from Basin catchments. Stock and domestic water use is currently authorised under the Queensland Water Act but a licence is not required. Implementation of the Basin Plan through the review of Queensland Murray Darling water resource plans by 2014, could mean that new stock and domestic water needs will have to be purchased from the existing pool of tradable water entitlements with requirements for licencing and metering of use. Existing arrangements for the use of this water are likely to be subject to greater scrutiny such as all existing works to supply this water such as pumps, bores and on-farm dams would have to be registered.
This approach is confirmed in advice being prepared by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on proposals for the trading of water which are also to be included in the Basin Plan. The ACCC proposes that water for new stock or domestic needs should be purchased through the market in catchments that are fully allocated. Guidelines for water planning currently being developed for application Australia wide are not as explicit but still raise the need for greater scrutiny of stock and domestic water use. QFF has always argued that stock and domestic use of water does not pose a significant risk to the growth in water take in Queensland catchments and it therefore would not justify the cost of regulating this activity via licensing and the application of trading requirements. The significant cost of this activity would be a burden to all license holders.

GOVERNMENT CHALLENGES QCA ELECTRICITY PRICE DECISION
State Minister for Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson has advised that the government had lodged a submission challenging the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) over its draft determination recommending electricity prices rise by 13.8 per cent from July 1, 2010. The Government has questioned some of the assumptions and modeling used by the QCA to calculate energy costs as a component of the index that is used to assess price increases each year. The submission also points to problems with QCA's approach to determining retail costs which are small (9 per cent of total costs) compared with cost of energy (43 per cent) and network costs (48 per cent). The QCA was expected to announce its final 2010-11 price decision by May 31 this year. In prior submissions, QFF has been critical of QCA assessments of electricity price increases raising concerns about both the approach to assessing energy costs and the excessive costs involved in upgrading electricity networks.

STATE GOVERNMENT RELEASES STRATEGIC CROPPING LAND DISCUSSION PAPER
QFF is pleased that the much anticipated discussion paper on a proposed policy and planning framework to protect strategic cropping land from developments was released by the Queensland Government last week. The paper outlines some proposals that if implemented could deliver on many of the issues that QFF and many other state farming organisations have been discussing with the Government for some years. Although still early days, it is clear that the Government has got off on the right foot on this issue by taking a planning approach to a complex issue that will need to strike a balance between acceptable development that supports people’s rights to manage their assets, but also serves to protect our limited and non-renewable (at least in our lifetimes) food production capabilities. The discussion paper is available for download at www.dip.qld.gov.au/croppingland or from the QFF website. Submissions on the discussion paper are due by March 12, 2010.

NATURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE EXPANDED
The Queensland Emergency Services Minister announced early last week disaster relief funding arrangements for an additional twelve local government areas affected by recent cyclones and severe rain events. These National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) serve to allow affected councils access to funds for rebuilding damaged public assets. While no personal hardship allowances have yet been included this season, primary producers are reminded that freight subsidies and concessional loans may be available if their property has been flood or storm damaged. The first step is to seek an Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) certificate from your local state government office by phoning 12 25 23 or via this website.

TRAINING SURVEY NEEDS RESPONSES
In November 2009, the DEEDI Rural Industry Skilling unit circulated an online survey on training and skilling needs. Unfortunately, the responses from industry have not been substantial to date, so if you are a farm or agribusiness please complete the survey online here as this provides vital information and helps ensure the skills and business development needs of your industry are met. Please do it now, as the survey work needs to be completed by February 22.

YOUNG DAIRY FARMERS DEBATE CLIMATE CHANGE
Some 98 enthusiastic dairy industry participants took part in a full day debate, conversation and discussion about climate change last week as part of the Young Dairy Network’s program to come to grips with opportunities and challenges posed by climate change. Six high calibre speakers helped fuel intense discussion across wide ranging issues as next generation farmers sought to define a “bucket” of issues relevant to growing a profitable and sustainable dairy industry in the region between Kempsey and Atherton. Farmers were challenged to define what is needed to progress their plans in “a climate of change”. Farmers stated in many ways their needs to have a clearer understanding of what is happening in a VSTEEP (Values, Society, Technology, Economics, Environment, and Politics) assessment of climate issues. Representative regional farmers will create four Farming System Scenarios from the hundred issues in coming weeks, and then regional priority setting will take place in a follow up workshop in early March. For more information, click here.

BROAD SCALE TREE-CLEARING A THING OF THE PAST
Farmers who have responded to Queensland's laws on broad scale clearing and they have proven true to their word with the latest figures from the State Government showing a 48 per cent decrease in tree clearing state-wide. The latest tree-clearing figures, released last week as part of the annual Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) 2007-08, revealed the lowest annual rate of clearing since the study began in 1988. The report covers the first full annual period of SLATS analysis since the Government introduced laws to end broad scale clearing of vegetation by December 31 2006. The study indicates that clearing rates across the state have fallen by 48 per cent, from a rate of 235,000 hectares per year in 2006-07 to 123,000 hectares per year. The SLATS report shows the majority of land clearing appears to be routine, legally-exempt vegetation management activities including clearing for fire breaks, fencing, roads and infrastructure, and for permitted activities such as fodder harvesting. The Land cover change in Queensland 2007-08 Statewide Landcover and Trees Study report is available at www.derm.qld.gov.au.

QFF FAREWELLS TO MEDIA & POLICY OFFICER
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) this week bids good luck and farewell to Media & Policy Officer Jamie O’Brien who has accepted the role of Editor & Media Officer with the Biological Farmers’ of Australia (BFA) a QFF member. As well as his role at QFF, Jamie has co-ordinated media for the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation, (QDO) as well as fulfilling the role of Secretary/Treasurer for the Primary Industries Week Committee. CEO Dan Galligan thanked Jamie for his dedication and service to QFF and wished him well in his future endeavors. With Jamie’s departure, the new email for all QFF Media is now media@qff.org.au.

MEMBER NEWS

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA LAND AND WATER TASKFORCE REPORT ‘UNSURPRISING’
Peak horticulture organisation Growcom has last week reported that the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce report that has thrown out the idea that northern Australia could be transformed into a major food bowl for Asia without further research was “unsurprising”. Chief Advocate Rachel Mackenzie said it was time southern Australia gave up fanciful notions that horticulture could be simply moved holus bolus from areas such as the Murray Darling Irrigation Basin to northern Australia. Ms Mackenzie said the fact that the report had also dismissed the idea that the federal government would build additional dams to supply needed additional water emphasised the importance of the continuation of government programs such as Rural Water Use Efficiency 4 and the Reef Rescue program to provide incentives to growers to use the available seasonal water on their farms more efficiently and to control water quality and runoff. For more information, go to www.growcom.com.au.

QUARANTINE BREACH: EXOTIC MEALY BUGS HIT EMERALD COTTON CROPS
Biosecurity Queensland has confirmed an outbreak of an exotic species of mealybug on cotton, weeds and ornamental plants in Emerald and on cotton and other plant species in the Burdekin region. The pest was first sent off for sampling by a cotton industry entomologist on January 13, and has been confirmed as a species different to the mealybugs previously experienced in cotton in Australia. According to Cotton Australia, at least 30 farms around Emerald in Central Queensland have detected mealybugs this season, with the Queesland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) saying at least five are heavily infested. Mealybugs are small, sucking insects found on many species of plants and, depending on the species, can dramatically reduce the yield of affected crops. Cotton Australia has last week said that damage to cotton crops in the Emerald district has occurred in patches and has varied from little effect on some farms to badly affected hot spots. * If anyone sees suspect mealybugs on their property they should contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881

THROW YOUR HAT IN THE RING & NOMINATE, CANE GROWERS URGED
The strength of the Australian cane industry has been built on strong regional representation, and cane growers are being encouraged to throw their hat in the ring to be part of the body tasked with driving the future of the sugarcane industry in Australia. Nominations for the Boards of local CANEGROWERS companies have opened, and peak body, CANEGROWERS, has said with so much going on in the industry at the moment, there has never been a better time to stand for election and drive change. CANEGROWERS CEO Ian Ballantyne last week said 2010 is shaping up to be a big year, with higher prices on offer, which are set to drive significant growth and give further impetus to the ongoing restructure which has characterised the industry. Nominations close on Monday February 22 at 5 pm. For further information, go to www.canegrowers.com.au, or contact your local CANEGROWERS office.

OTHER NEWS

GETTING THE HELP YOU NEED?
Primary producers and small businesses are invited to comment on a review of the Rural and Regional Adjustment Act 1994, which provides guidance for administering some of Queensland’s assistance schemes. Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) animal industries director Peter Byrne urged Queenslanders to make submissions before 5 March 2010. “A discussion paper has been developed that addresses matters such as the scope of QRAA’s activities, functions and powers. For more information and to review the discussion paper visit www.deedi.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.