Mossman sugar community's uncertain future takes centre stage as election approaches

CRITICAL CROSSROADS

Jules Foxlee

Journalist

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According to Canegrowers Mossman, the representative organisation for local growers, farmers feel as though they have stepped off a cliff. Picture: Canegrowers Mossman

The future of the Mossman sugar community remains uncertain as both sides of politics pledge their support for those affected by the closure of the Mossman Mill in November 2023.

David Kempton, the Liberal National Party (LNP) candidate for Cook, stated that he is collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure a sustainable economic future for the Mossman community, with a focus on the mill and sugarcane.

Mr Kempton said the economic future for the community would, “necessarily involve the growing of sugarcane in some capacity as it is the best and highest use of the land”.

“The mill is not a closed book at all. There are options which I’m continuing to explore, that may include a move into partial production. This would involve juicing the cane to produce syrup and molasses so instead of trucking out the cane, you would truck the product which has a lot less volume.”

“Sugarcane has been at the centre of the regional economy for 130 years and whilst there is adequate arable land and sugar prices are sustainable, we can grow the cane – we just need somewhere to process it.”

In contrast, Cynthia Lui, Member for Cook, is looking towards a more diversified future for the town, committing to helping the community, “grow, change and thrive beyond this very challenging time.”

Ms Lui said the Labor Government was working closely with those affected.

“When the mill called in administrators late last year, I secured $12.1m to assist with farmers’ transport costs for the 2024 crushing season and the Mossman Region Transition Project, which will assist the community to transition,” she said.

“I will continue to work with growers and the many innovative companies, alternative cropping and sustainable industry representatives who are also committed to working towards a thriving future for Mossman.”

While stakeholders including the state and local government work to secure an economic pathway for the community, the people most affected by the mill’s closure remain in a state of uncertainty.

Evelyn Matthews, Manager at Canegrowers Mossman, said growers feel as if they have stepped off a cliff.

“Many of our growers are older, and do not have it in them to start again,” she said.

“The younger generation often work off the farm, so growers are wondering what will happen to their farms.”

“We welcomed the funding to get this year’s crop down to Mulgrave Mill but it’s just not

economically viable to truck sugarcane from Mossman to Gordonvale. This may be many growers’ last crop. They will live off what they raise from this year’s crop and then many may retire.’’

She said sugar by- and bio-products were a possible option for the community but only in the long-term.

“The markets just aren’t there at the moment. We need funding for research and development and none of that will happen fast enough to provide certainty for our growers.”  

And it all depends on what happens to the mill.

“If it’s sold off whole, crystal sugar or bioproducts might still be an option, but if it’s sold piecemeal, then that’s off the table,” Ms Matthews said.

She added that sugarcane bioproducts such as ethanol and plastic alternatives were a long-term option, and byproducts like bagasse and molasses might also play a role in the transition, but it all depended on what happens to the mill.

“If it’s sold off whole, crystal sugar, sugar byproducts and bioproducts might still be an option, but if it’s sold piecemeal, then all that’s off the table,” Ms Matthews said.

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