LNP increases mill improvement fund if next crush processed in Mossman

CRISAFULLI PLEDGES MORE

Jules Foxlee

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(L-R) Shadow Transport Minister Steve Minnikin, candidate for Cook David Kempton, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and Shadow Minister for Local Government Ann Leahy. Picture: Office of the Opposition Leader

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has pledged to increase funding for improvements to Mossman mill by $2-3 million, up from $6 million, if the next crush can be processed in Mossman.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli engaging with Mossman locals. Picture: Office of the Opposition Leader

The Liberal National Party's $12.5 million initiative, unveiled in August, includes $6 million designated for transporting the 2025 crop to Gordonvale for processing and $6 million earmarked for renovating and retrofitting the mill to attract investors.

Additionally, $500,000 has been allocated to CANEGROWERS Mossman for the development of a regional productivity strategy.

The funding for the transport tranche will utilise funds Labor have earmarked for the development and implementation of an economic diversification strategy for Mossman.

Although the allocation of the $12.5 million was initially clear, it now appears that there is some flexibility in how the transportation portion will be divided.

Campaigning in Mossman last Monday, alongside candidate for Cook, David Kempton, Shadow Transport Minister, Steve Minnikin, and Shadow Minister for Local Government, Ann Leahy, the Opposition Leader mentioned that a portion of the $6 million allocated for transporting cane to Gordonvale next year could be redirected. 

This reallocation would occur if an investor could enhance the mill to a point where it could process the local crop.

“I believe that the structure of the deal allows a savvy investor to access two or three million dollars that would otherwise be spent subsidising the transportation, which can incentivise them to get it running and keep some local jobs in the town,” Mr Crisafulli said.

This would see the total funding allocated for mill improvements come in at $8-9 million.

Crop considerations

While campaigning heats up as candidates stare down the barrel of the October 26 election, growers are debating whether to fertilise their emerging crops.

Mr Crisafulli said he hoped growers would do just that.

“Nothing would please me more than to see farmers apply fertilisers to their ratoon in the next week, and I would be delighted if they decided to plant some crops, holding onto the hope that there may be a future,” he said.

Despite these aspirations, the future remains uncertain for local growers. There are two possible outcomes. If Labor retains power, Mossman will shift towards a more diversified economy.

If the LNP wins government, growers have one more season. If no investor comes forward to buy the mill, even with the sweeteners on the table, the LNP may have to dust off the Labor’s Mossman Transition Plan and, having used the implementation money to haul cane, dig deeper into the budget to fund it. If the LNP wins, growers will have one last season. 

Should no investor emerge to purchase the mill, even with the incentives on offer, the LNP  the LNP may have to dust off the Labor’s Mossman Transition Plan. 

Since the implementation funds would have already been used for transporting cane, they might have to allocate additional budget resources to support it.

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