Mossman Transition Plan release imminent

“They ran them through their assessment criteria which included things like economic viability, margins, yield, weather and rainfall, and marketability. They also looked at whether an idea had the potential to transform the regional economy, or whether it was small scale and niche. From there they created a short-list of 20 ideas across the three pillars which were provided to the SAC last week so we could rank them in order of priority,” he said.

Mr Murday said biomass, particularly for fuel production, was top of the list.

“What the MTP revealed is that there isn’t a viable alternative crop that farmers as a collective can transition into other than biomass. This was well known to the farming community ahead of the MTP,” he said,

“There are proponents looking to invest in growing banagrass in Mossman and others looking to revamp / restart the mill. The irony of the whole process is that the previous mill owners were working on value adding the waste bagasse (biomass) from the milling process. We have now gone full circle but are three years behind, and without a mill.”

“Growers are at their wits end and willing to support anything that allows them to continue their business and livelihoods.”

The MTP was an element of a $12m support package pulled together by the-then ALP state government following the closure of the Mossman sugar mill in November 2023.

The package included $6m to establish the MRTP and draft and implement the MTP, and $6m to haul cane from Mossman to Gordonvale to enable farmers to complete the 2024 crush.

The MTP development process kicked off in August this year, two months out from the state election. On the same day as the first MTP community consultation meeting in Port Douglas, the LNP outlined a $12.5m offer to the community: $6m to cover the costs of the 2025 crush, $6m in sweeteners for potential investors in the mill, and $500,000 for Mossman CANEGROWERS to develop an industry roadmap for the sector.

The $6m earmarked by the ALP for the MTP would cover half the costs of the LNP’s package.

At the time, then-LNP candidate and now Member for Cook David Kempton, said the LNP committed to completing and considering the MTP while acknowledging the funds to implement it were off the table

He has been consistently clear that no money from the LNP’s $12.5m package will be put towards implementation. Despite this, the LNP will use consider the findings of the MTP as they work out next steps for the Mossman economy.

“I do have a lot of concern for the Mossman sugar industry,” Mr Kempton said, “and I will be establishing a high-level advisory group to consider the future of the Mossman economy.”

Mr Kempton said the new body would likely include some members of the current SAC but would also include senior “decision-makers.”

He has not advised a timeframe for the establishment of this group, or its Terms of Reference.

Asked what the next steps were for the Mossman Regional Transition Program SAC, Mr Murday said he did not know but expected to receive advice on this from government.

The latest development comes as canegrower bodies CANEGROWERS, QCAR, ACFA, AgForce Cane, and Kalamia Cane Growers are working to ensure Sugar Terminals Limited (STL) has a representative Board.

The collective asked Queensland members with shares in STL to vote for grower-directors at STL’s AGM which took place on 20 November.

“With 85% of Australia’s sugar production destined for export, our bulk sugar terminals are vital to maintaining our competitive edge in the global market,” CANEGROWERS Chairperson Owen Menkens said.

“These terminals, which were two-thirds funded by growers, are essential to our industry’s ability to deliver a reliable, cost-effective supply of high-quality sugar. 

“We need grower-directors who will fiercely guard these critical assets in the interests of our industry.”

At time of writing, votes for directors were still being counted. Results are expected to be released in the coming days.