The State Government has secured hosting rights for the world’s premier conference for agricultural investors, cementing Queensland as the preferred investment gateway into Australia and surrounding regions.

Global AgInvesting is the world's longest-running and largest gathering of agriculture investment stakeholders.

Brisbane’s selection underscores Queensland’s ongoing global expansion and strategic positioning as a key player in international agriculture investment markets.

The conference boosts the State Government’s target to increase the value of primary production to $30 billion by 2030, after it said that “primary producers were left high and dry under the former Labor Government.”

The event will facilitate connections between institutional investors, fund managers, and agribusiness leaders, providing them with new investment opportunities into agribusiness, AgTech, infrastructure, and sustainable agriculture.

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the event was a gateway to introduce billions of dollars in investment into Queensland’s primary industries.

“Queensland is the beating heart of primary industries in this country — we grow a quarter of Australia’s primary produce and are leading the way in AgTech adoption,” Minister Perrett said.

“The $30 million Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund is a testament to our commitment to continued investment in Queensland’s $23.4 billion primary industries sector.

“Brisbane has proven itself to be host of choice, having just successfully welcomed thousands of people in the agrifood innovation community at AgriFutures Australia’s evokeAG 2025 in February.

“The decision to have Global AgInvesting in Queensland is another vote of confidence that we are on the path to reach our target of $30 billion in primary industries production by 2030.”

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates described Global AgInvesting as a great opportunity to help Queensland continue to diversify its trade options.

“Having Global AgInvesting on our doorstep will create a vital opportunity to maintain close links with our various trade networks as we focus on remaining agile in the trade space,” said Minister Bates.

“This event will also give us a chance to remind our partners that our core trade values of stability, certainty and growth make Queensland a great place to invest.”

Global AgInvesting Portfolio Director Jonathan Levin expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the inaugural Global AgInvesting Australia event in Queensland.

“We are delighted to collaborate with the Queensland Government to introduce Global AgInvesting to Australia for the first time,” Mr Levin said.

“The selection of Queensland as the location for the inaugural Global AgInvesting Australia is highly appropriate, considering Queensland’s scale in primary industries across three climate zones and proximity to Asia-Pacific markets.

“With its state-of-the-art innovation in AgTech and strong commitment to sustainable production, Queensland offers an ideal platform for global investors interested in engaging with the region’s vibrant primary industries.”

‍

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett has welcomed the arrival of the world’s premier agriculture investment conference to Queensland, describing it as a billion-dollar gateway to strengthen the state’s $23.4 billion primary industries sector. Photo source: Tony Perrett (Facebook)

‍

Two Burdekin water committees are urgently calling on the State Government to freeze irrigation prices and to exercise common sense and compassion for regional primary producers in the Giru irrigation area.

The Giru Benefit Area (GBA) Irrigation Committee, supported by the QCAR Water Committee, is appealing to the Queensland Minister for Local Government, Water and Volunteers, MP Ann Leahy, and her government, to immediately dismiss the Queensland Competition Authority’s (QCA) recommendation to slap a 100 per cent price increase on GBA irrigators. GBA Irrigation Committee Chairman Robert Stockham said the QCA bowing to Sunwater’s unreasonable and unsustainable demands would send many primary producers relying on the scheme spiralling into financial hardship.

“We need Minister Anne Leahy to step up to the plate and put our GBA producers’ sustainability and viability before profit,” Mr Stockham said.

“Sugarcane farmers and other primary producers are already hurting due to the significant damage to infrastructure, crops and pastures in last month’s substantial rain events – none of our rural businesses can stand up to the financial pressure of increased input costs that are effectively being doubled.”

He said the QCA’s apparent unjustified recommendation to double irrigation water prices, if accepted by the State Government, would come into effect on 1 July 2025 and remain through to 30 June 2029.

“This will cripple our GBA producers with tens of thousands of dollars being added to their annual expenses, when many of their businesses are already running on tight margins in addition to being battered through the recent tropical low rain events.”

The QCA’s recommendation formed a part of its report to the government following its five-year Irrigation Price Investigation 2025-2029, which reviews the irrigation pricing practices of Sunwater and Seqwater.

QCAR Water Committee Chair Kayleen Walsh said the reports and recommendations were delivered to the government on 31 January 2025 and published on 7 February 2025.

“We know the State Government is not bound to consider the QCA’s recommendations, but we cannot afford to sit and wait for the outcome without stating the dire outcomes for GBA producers should this staggering increase be accepted.

“We’ve met with everyone there is to meet with and stated our case, and we’ve written to Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and asked him to intervene in this decision-making process,” Mrs Walsh said.

“This recommendation is unacceptable and claims to prioritise ‘cost recovery’, well, we’d like to see the evidence that shows this doubling of input costs is fair and can be absorbed by our farmers without sending them to the wall.”

Ms Walsh said this recommendation appeared to have been made in a boardroom without consideration of the adverse implications to Giru area irrigators, all for the sake of a balance sheet.

“Both water committees are not opposed to equitable contributions, but this is neither fair nor sustainable and we stand together on this.”

She said the committees advocated for genuine consultation and invited further engagement to find a solution that was equitable to all parties, and specifically to include recognition of timing and circumstance.

“The GBA has been on a 50 per cent Target Price with low operator (Sunwater) inputs. The costs for these irrigators to access water is significantly higher than other schemes and they do not get the same service or access.

“While Sunwater can sit back and say everyone is now set up and got all their pumps and pipes and other necessary equipment sorted – well, half of that has gone missing or been damaged in the recent weather events, not to mention the additional costs for erosion restoration work.”

The Queensland Government is expected to make a decision in coming weeks.

“We are saying the same things we’ve said in meetings and in correspondence; we are imploring the Queensland government to maintain existing arrangements while we work together to find an equitable solution,” Ms Walsh said.

‍

‍

Leahy and Last KW and MKern:

Attending a recent QCAR Water Committee meeting are, from left,  Queensland Minister for Local Government, Water and Volunteers, MP Ann Leahy, Member for Burdekin Dale Last, QCAR Water Committee Chair Kayleen Walsh and QCAR Chief Strategy Officer Michael Kern. The two water committees are urging state government representatives to ‘step up’ and immediately freeze a proposed 100 per cent irrigation water price increase for the stricken GIRU area irrigators. Photos supplied: QCAR

GBA1:

Giru area cane farmer Frank Scarabel inspects his washed out irrigation system at Healey's Lagoon in the Giru area. Recent flood waters have washed the banks away and re-bedding with rock will be required

GBA2:

QCAR District Manager Angelo Licciardello is doing the rounds with farmers to assist with disaster recovery assistance following the significant rain events across the Burdekin and other parts of Queensland last month

‍

It’s that time of year—hundreds of ducks, one stream, zero control. The greatest slow-motion race of the year is about to float into Plantation Park.

On Sunday, May 18, the Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race will return for its annual splashdown, bringing thrills, spills, and a whole lot of rubber ducks to the Burdekin region for it’s 16th edition.

The event, one of the Rotary Club of Ayr’s major annual fundraisers, will raise funds for the Burdekin Woodcrafts Association and Burdekin Men’s Shed, promising a morning full of entertainment.

“It’s a great family day… It can get competitive, too,” says Stacey Koia, member of the Duck Race Committee.

The numbered ducks will be dropped into the creek by crane near the Don Moss Archway at 11am, navigating the artificially pumped creek waters until the designated finish line, 130 metres downstream.

Owners of the first five ducks to cross the finish line will all receive cash prizes, with the winner taking home $1000 and the 2025 Quack Cup.

There are also prizes for presentation, including $100 for best decorated duck—$30 for each runner-up—in addition to five $50 lucky duck draws. And, don’t forget to rock up in your best duck-themed outfit for a chance to win $50!

Food and drinks will be available, including sausages, hot chips, and soft drinks provided by Ayr Rotary, and an ice cream van. Entertainment includes children’s activities and a performance by the Burdekin Brass Band, as well as the race itself, says Duck Race Committee member John McVeigh.

“You could imagine all of the ducks coming down the creek and then crossing the line… it’s very entertaining,” he said. “I’ve seen a duck that's winning, winning, winning… just about to cross the line, and it gets caught and wins nothing. So it’s totally random!”

Ducks are available for purchase from Ayr Rotary members, at Burdekin Cleaners and Laundry on Queen Street, and at street stalls across the Burdekin. Ducks cost $50 each, with a buy three, get one free offer.

For more information, please visit the Rotary Club of Ayr Facebook page or contact John McVeigh at 0409 321 418.

‍

The greatest slow-motion race of the year is about to float into Plantation Park. Photo source: Rotary Club of Ayr

‍

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on the challenges faced by people living with Parkinson’s disease and the importance of community support. In the Burdekin, one group is doing just that.

The Parkinson’s Queensland Burdekin Support Group has become a vital connection point for not only locals navigating the realities of the condition, but anyone seeking to learn more about it.

Group Co-Ordinator Elvie Dickinson says the group aims to provide connection, understanding, and offer a place where no one feels alone in their journey.

“It’s about sharing and being together… just sharing different things. And it’s not only sharing the information about Parkinson’s—it’s sharing your togetherness.”

The group meets at 10am on the fourth Friday of every month between February and November in a warm, welcoming space at the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre.

The group meetings often include educational guest speakers—from Parkinson’s medication specialists to physiotherapists, and even the fire brigade. In other meetings, members can enjoy morning tea outings or supportive in-house chats.

Dickinson says the group has been her way of giving back to the community since it’s inauguration over 10 years ago.

“When I was first diagnosed, I went down to the library here and there was no information. I could see that other people would be in the same boat as I was, and I just thought that [starting the group] was one way that I could do something for the community.”

Including the Burdekin Region, there are over 18,000 sufferers of Parkinson’s disease across Queensland.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s range from subtle early signs like fatigue and slight tremors, to more noticeable issues such as muscle stiffness, slowed movement, balance problems, and changes in speech or facial expression.

Dickinson says that understanding Parkinson’s means recognising just how different the journey can be for everyone involved.

“Parkinson’s is such a diverse disease—we don’t all have the same symptoms. So, by sharing what you’re going through, it helps other people.”

And while the group provides vital support for people living with Parkinson’s, its doors are open much wider than that.

“It’s for anybody; it’s for family, it’s for friends, it’s for carers—it’s for anybody that wishes to come along.”

For more information about the Parkinson’s Queensland Burdekin Support Group, please contact Group Co-Ordinator Elvie Dickinson at 07 4783 1896 or the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre at 07 4783 4243.

WHAT: Parkinson’s Queensland Burdekin Support Group

WHERE: Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

WHEN: 10am, 4th Friday of every month between February and November

‍

Group Co-Ordinator Elvie Dickinson says the group has been her way of giving back to the community since its inauguration over 10 years ago. Photo credit: Jacob Casha

‍

The Burdekin, with its warm climate and fertile soil, is the perfect place to introduce kids to the joys of gardening. Whether you have a large backyard or a small space, there are plenty of simple projects to get kids excited about planting, growing, and caring for their own garden.

Here are some easy and fun gardening projects for kids that thrive in our local climate.

Planting Easy-to-Grow Veggies

North Queensland’s climate is great for growing vegetables, and kids love seeing their efforts turn into something edible. Start with fast-growing plants like tomatoes, beans, and sweet corn. These plants provide quick results to keep kids engaged.

How to do it:

Choose a sunny spot and prepare the soil by loosening it with a spade.

Let kids pick out their favourite veggies.

Show them how to plant seeds at the right depth and water them regularly.

Kids will not only learn how food is grown but will enjoy eating the vegetables they’ve grown.

Creating a Butterfly or Pollinator Garden

A pollinator garden helps kids learn about the importance of bees, butterflies, and other insects. In the Burdekin, a variety of pollinators are naturally attracted to the right plants.

How to do it:

Plant nectar-rich flowers like marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers, and native plants such as Grevilleas.

Let kids help with planting seeds or seedlings in containers or garden beds.

Teach them about the role of pollinators, making it a fun scavenger hunt to spot visiting bees and butterflies.

This project is perfect for teaching kids about wildlife and the environment.

Making a DIY Herb Garden

Herbs are a great option for gardening with kids. They grow quickly, are easy to care for, and can be used in cooking. Herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary thrive in the Burdekin’s climate.

How to do it:

Use small pots or repurposed containers for an upcycled herb garden.

Help kids plant seeds or young plants like basil, parsley, and mint.

Teach them how to water and trim the herbs as they grow.

Kids will take pride in using their own fresh herbs in family meals.

Building a Simple Bird Feeder

A bird feeder is an exciting way for kids to observe local birds up close. It teaches them about the environment and encourages wildlife to visit the garden.

How to do it:

Create a basic bird feeder using a toilet paper roll, peanut butter, and birdseed.

Roll the peanut butter-covered toilet roll in birdseed and hang it from a tree branch or fence.

This activity helps kids connect with nature and learn about bird species common in the Burdekin.

Creating a Sensory Garden

A sensory garden is perfect for younger children. It engages their senses through plants with interesting textures, smells, and colours.

How to do it:

Plant fragrant flowers like lavender, plants with unique textures (such as lamb’s ear), and colourful flowers like marigolds.

Encourage kids to touch, smell, and describe the plants.

This project helps kids appreciate different textures and smells while enjoying the outdoors.

Gardening is a wonderful way for Burdekin families to bond and connect with nature. With our region’s ideal climate, there’s no limit to the projects you can try. Grab a spade and let your kids experience the magic of watching plants grow!

‍

A $70,000 early intervention youth program was announced as an election promise by Federal Member for Dawson last week, the  the Blue Edge Program in Ayr is set to be a game-changer in the region.

The program, which is run in High Schools across Queensland, supports the Queensland Police Service’s mission to unite policy, community, and the youth in early intervention.

“I am proud to announce that if elected, the LNP will commit $70,000 to funding the Blue Edge Program in Ayr, run by a non-for-profit organisation Queensland Blue Light Association," stated Mr Willcox.

“This vital early intervention program has been very successful in creating respect education and ensuring young people in the community have the opportunity to get back on track and live a life free of crime."

“Early intervention programs like this one are so important in equipping young people with mental and physical skills that help empower them to head down a path that doesn’t involve anti-social behaviours.

"It’s important that communities in Ayr and the Burdekin see programs that are creating a positive impact, and the Blue Edge program is one of those.

“This project will be delivered under the Safer Communities Fund, ensuring the Burdekin region has the best early intervention program for our youth and security infrastructure in place.”

“Getting Australia Back on Track means keeping Australia safe – safe for families, safe for businesses, and safe for communities.”

Grant Gamlen, Blue Edge State Coordinator, said the eight-week program is designed to teach kids discipline, goal setting, teamwork, physical and mental health tips, decision making, positive peer pressure, and healthy relationships with family, friends, and community.

“We appreciate this generosity and look forward to the program being run in Ayr and the Burdekin.”

‍

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, has made a Federal election announcement for the Blue Edge Youth Program in the Burdekin region. Photo supplied

‍

Council will commence flying fox dispersal activities in Arch Dunn Memorial Park with the aim to reduce flying fox numbers in preparation for Anzac Day.  The activities will take place over three days from April 22nd to 24th 2025 between 5.30am and 6.30am each day as required.

These non-harmful dispersal activities will include audible deterrents (pyrotechnics, shotgun simulator, pool noodles, LED torches and flashing lights) and therefore residents are advised to take measures to secure their pets during the operation times.

All private landowners are reminded and encouraged that if flying-foxes land in their trees, they are entitled to discourage them from staying by using non-destructive disturbance techniques such as smoke, water sprinklers, visual deterrents such as imitation predators, bright lights, and noise from various commercial or improvised products. Please do not attempt to touch a flying-fox with bare hands.

For further information on what you can and cannot do with flying-foxes, please visit the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation website at www.detsi.qld.gov.au.

For further information about the dispersal activities taking place or to report roosting flying foxes during daylight hours, in numbers greater than 100, please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 47839800.

‍

The Ayr Chamber gathered last Tuesday evening for a catch-up focused on all things advertising, and how the Chamber can best support its members in reaching their target markets.

Rachael Smith, Chief Editor of Life Publishing Group—publisher of Burdekin Life Newspaper, Core Life, and Tripping Magazine—shared insights into the vision behind launching the two magazines in the region.

The magazine, which has had a soft launch in the Burdekin in recent months, aims to showcase business profiles and travel stories, with a growing distribution footprint extending along much of the Queensland coast.

The publication has been operating for almost 14 years and prints 15,000 copies every two months.

It is available from Mackay to Ingham, including Moranbah, the Whitsundays, the Burdekin, and Townsville.

Completely free, Core Life and Tripping Magazine is distributed at more than 1,000 locations, including 60 dedicated distribution stands.

During the meeting, Rachael introduced a special advertising package exclusively for Chamber members.

The offer includes exposure in the Burdekin Life Newspaper and a dedicated annual feature in Core Life Magazine that highlights Burdekin businesses.

Kari Ravizza, Treasurer of the Burdekin Chamber, also presented attendees with a range of additional advertising opportunities.

She spoke about the potential launch of a quarterly catalogue, designed to allow local retailers and businesses to promote special offers to the wider community.

Further details regarding pricing and distribution are expected to be available soon.

‍

Eusebio Aguirre and Kari Ravizza from Burdekin Chamber of Commerce with Deputy Mayor Max Musumeci

Trish Jandt and Ruth Puddefoot from Burdekin Life Newspaper with Lameez Yunus from NQ Employment Burdekin

Uli Liessmann and Robert Antoniazzi from Home Hill Chamber of Commerce  

Councillor Callan Oar with his wife Kristy Oar

Rachael Smith Chief Editor Life Publishing Group, Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort and Linda Butler from Kdee Designs

Councillor Michael Detenon, CEO of Council Michael Magin and Rose Papadimitriou

Photo credit: Ruth Puddefoot

‍

The Burdekin Chamber recently closed out the month of March with a commendable achievement in the way of the group’s Shop the Burdekin Gift Cards!

A primary focus of the Burdekin Chamber has always been to encourage and promote “shop local” initiatives to further foster intercommunity networking and development. In doing so, the Chamber introduced Burdekin Gift Cards some years ago as a closed-loop gift card program which can be purchased from and redeemed only at participating local businesses who are also valued members of the Chamber.

Since the program was launched, more than $100,000 has been loaded onto the cards, directly benefiting the local economy and this March, $1,180 worth of Burdekin Gift Cards were purchased within the community!

With over 50 participating local businesses to shop with, Shop the Burdekin Gift Cards are a fantastic way to support the local economy and shop local.

‍

It’s all hands to the pumps as the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists prepare for their Open Day celebrations on Saturday 10th May at the Brandon Heritage Centre.

President Bruce Munro and fellow Burdekin Machinery Preservationist Peter Smith are reportedly sweating away on the final preparations of the historic Austral Hot Bulb Engine—a quaint old engine made in Australia by Ronaldson and Tippet. The burning question is: Can they get the hundred year old engine ready for Open Day?

This particular engine was donated to the Club by the McMahon Brothers of Bowen. It was then stripped down to the main chassis and meticulously renovated, part by part, by expert artisan Smith, whose motto is “measure twice, cut once.”

There was a palpable sense of excitement a few weeks ago when the engine finally roared to life with a bang and a great cloud of smoke. Following some adjustments to the governor and careful fine-tuning, it’s now operating much more smoothly.

The hot-bulb engine, also known as a semi-diesel or Akroyd engine, is an early type of internal combustion engine that was widely used in agriculture, marine, and stationary applications, and was the link between the steam era and diesel engines. They were simple, versatile and would run on a variety liquid fuel, crude oil, kerosene, old engine oil and even vegetable oil.

The hot-bulb engine is one of a host of different machinery, tractors and other items that will be on show at the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists Open Day.

For more information about the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists please call Lex on 0488 366 443 or email us at burdekinmp@outlook.com

What: Burdekin Machinery Preservationists Open Day
Where: Brandon Heritage Centre
When: Saturday 10th of May

‍

Peter Smith measuring up for the Austral renovation. Photo supplied

The first start of the Austral Hot Bulb Engine. Photo supplied

‍

In September 1960, the Home Hill Bowls Club began a major upgrade of its green. A sub-committee made up of club members Mr Davies, Mr Adams, Mr Hanson and Mr King was formed to oversee the project, while Mr Adsma and Mr Davies were given the task of organising logistics with Mr Doug Haigh from the Ayr Shire Council.

It was decided that the green would close after games finished on Sunday, 18th September. The very next day, work got underway. It was a huge job – graders, end loaders, trucks, and hardworking volunteers with picks and shovels transformed the green in a flurry of activity.

Once the old surface was removed and the ground was prepared, the levelling of the green began. Artie Adams led the levelling with the help of Stan Asmus. The green was then replanted with South African Couch grass, sourced from the Ayr Bowling Green.

After months of hard work, the green officially reopened on Saturday, 11th February 1961, with a social mixed bowls event held in the afternoon. The success of the upgrade – and the high standard of the green even today – is a lasting tribute to everyone who helped make it happen.

A few years later, at the club’s General Meeting in 1963, members agreed it was time to replace the old clubhouse. The committee at the time – Mr Vaughan Heard (President), Mr Wilburn Figg (Secretary), Mr Gordon Ryan (Treasurer), along with Mr Jim Oats, Mr Frank Boccalatte, Mr Tom Callow, Mr Ral King, Mr Mere Swindley and Mr Peter Ferguson – began making plans.

By February 1963, after reviewing reports, the committee decided to go ahead with building the new clubhouse. They accepted a tender from W. & M. Woodward for £6,987. To help pay for the building, the club issued 300 debentures of £10 each, interest-free for ten years.

The new clubhouse was officially opened on 21st September 1963 by Mr Ian Roberts, who was President of the North Queensland District Bowls Association at the time.

Further improvements continued over the years. In 1979, under the presidency of Mr Bob Young, the bar area was carpeted, tiled and refurnished, giving it a fresh and modern feel.

Today, the Home Hill Bowls Club’s green, clubhouse and surroundings stand as a proud tribute to all those members who have contributed their time, effort and dedication over the decades – building a community space for all to enjoy.

‍

Two of the original Home Hill Bowls members, Pop Stockdale (left) and Ham McLeod.

‍

Friday night, the Burdekin had the opportunity to have Sam Childers share his incredible story at the Ayr Community Church. Sams journey has taken him from a life of violent crime to war torn eastern Africa where he has rescued over 1500 children from rebel armies in some of Africa’s most dangerous areas.  He also runs schools, trade-training centres orphanages and farms in Africa all for the children. His life is also the basis of a 2011 movie starring Jerard Butler aptly named Machine Gun Preacher.  What a great night which was very well attended. It was very interesting to hear the difference one man can make. Thank you to Councillor Amanda Hall who made this happen.I want to mention the Planning and Development open days which is held on a Friday in Council Chambers this week it will be on Thursday due to the public holiday.  The Planning and Development and Technical Services team make themselves available for face-to-face consultations for Developers, Property Owner and Community Members with Relevant enquiries offering expert and advice on property development in the Burdekin.  They will assist with any enquiries with you may have before you lodge any applications with those departments assisting with streamlining the process.The Council will also be conducting the Bi-annual Water Supply Meter Reading commencing 14th April 2025. The early commencement of the meter reading is due to the Council changing of the Rates to bi-annually.  Can we please ask that residents clear meters of all obstructions and restrain your dogs to avoid injury to our Staff and unlock your gates. This would be greatly appreciated.The 2025 Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships will be held at the Burdekin Showgrounds on the 30th of May. It will be the headline event for the Sweet Days, Hot nights Festival which will be held on that weekend. The weekend will be fun for the whole family with free kids’ activities, including a Petting Zoo, Timmy the Train, Market stalls, also the Burdekin Rum Bar Gudjuda Rangers Turtle viewing. Mechanical Bull and lots more.  It will be a great family event. You can witness skill and stamina of our cane cutters which will compete for some great prize money and the National Title so Save the Date.Hope you all have a safe and Happy Easter.

The results of our grower survey last year made it quite apparent that growers who market with Wilmar believe that the market information we provide is one of the most important services of our Grower Marketing team.

One way we keep growers up to date is via shed meetings and information sessions which we recently held in Proserpine, Ingham and the Burdekin.

It’s always thoroughly enjoyable for the team to get out and about, meeting with growers, learning more about their businesses and hearing what works for them.

With the current turmoil in global markets, it was a timely update given the uncertainty within the world. It was also a great opportunity to have our Risk Manager Bevan Patterson up from Brisbane to review the current Wilmar forecasts on global demand and supply, and try to make some sense of the chaos.

Currently we forecast a small net surplus in sugar for the upcoming season which is highly dependent on Brazil delivering another record crop of 42 million tonnes of sugar. Harvest is about to get under way in Brazil and the dry start to the year may result in yields underperforming current forecasts.

As Brazil accounts for nearly three quarters of global seaborne trade, any slip in production could see a surplus turn into a deficit, and higher prices.

The global market turmoil triggered by the tariff tit for tat has caused the AUD to be extremely volatile as traders analyse the impact on a trading nation like Australia. It is not often that we see the AUD below 60 cents and it has masked some of the drop in the #11 sugar price fall.

In better news, our 2024 season pools and allocation account continue to outperform, and we will soon release our quarterly performance and comparative analysis for January to March. Keep an eye on your inbox for that later this month. The analysis continues to show that growers are significantly better off by marketing with Wilmar, irrespective of the mechanisms used for GEI sugar pricing.

After a few days out of the office and in the regions catching up with our growers, it is great to see the sun shining and the fields drying out. We hope the rainy days are behind us, and we will soon see a hive of activity out on the farms as planting begins.

‍

Wilmar Grower Marketing Business Development Manager Owen Richards addresses Burdekin growers
at a recent information session. Photo supplied

‍

Australian plague locusts are an endemic pest that threatens our agricultural industry, devastating crops, and causing losses of up to $30 million.

By harnessing cutting edge science, experts can forecast locust outbreaks with greater accuracy, helping mitigate economic impacts.

The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) uses advanced analytics to improve early detection and rapid response. However, forecasting locust populations is challenging.

The APLC has been developing a simulation model to predict locust population dynamics across their entire range. This model predicts the development, survival, and behaviour of locusts across all life stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults.

However, locusts inhabit a vast range of more than 2 million square kilometres, so deploying the model is challenging. Field surveys alone cannot provide enough coverage to initialise the model.

But artificial intelligence is changing the game. The APLC has partnered with the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) to develop a new AI-driven model. The machine learning algorithms developed have incorporated 37 years of locust data with high-resolution weather, vegetation, and soil records to generate more accurate short-term forecasts (up to 90%).

These AI models will not only initialise the population dynamics model but also enhance field survey targeting, leading to more reliable on-the-ground surveillance. Additionally, they will support better planning and resource allocation.

Thanks to a growing ecosystem of models, the APLC is now better equipped to predict locust populations, making it easier to forecast their changes in response to Australia's highly variable climate. This will enable governments and industry to prepare and respond more effectively.

The APLC plans to integrate this AI-driven forecasting system into a new online data dashboard. This will further support enhanced locust predictions, enable real-time monitoring, and improve response strategies.

‍

Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera). Photo credit: P.D. Amara / Flickr

‍

Fixing a decade-long reduction in housing supply across Queensland, including in the Burdekin, is the aim of a funding program that guarantees support for regional areas.

Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, has welcomed the program’s commitment to regional Queensland due to details that have been shared with him by Burdekin locals.

“The facts are that, over the last 10 years, housing approvals in Queensland have fallen by nearly 30% and the waiting list for social housing has ballooned,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to families who have no option but to live in sheds and young people who cannot get a rental property due to what is basically a bidding war due to a supply shortage.”

“Our Residential Activation Fund provides funding to Councils and developers to address trunk and essential infrastructure like water supply, sewerage, power and roads. The priority during the first round is shovel-ready projects because our focus is on helping Queenslanders move into a home faster.”

“Applications for the Fund have now opened and I know that Council is well-advanced on their application.  A lot of people think that the housing crisis is only in the cities, but there has been a definite impact here in the Burdekin.”

“In recognition of the broad impact, the government has guaranteed that at least $1Billion of the fund is for projects in regional Queensland. Not only will this provide an opportunity to fast-track construction, but it also provides a boost for the building and construction industry which means supporting local jobs.”

Mr Last said that, in addition to the Residential Activation Fund, the Crisafulli government had also committed to fast-tracking the delivery of additional social and affordable homes.

“Despite all the promises that were made, we’ve seen a reduction in social and affordable housing stocks across Queensland,” he said.

“That reduction means there was more pressure placed on the rental market, reducing availability and increasing prices.”

“Five thousand additional homes are under construction or contracted right across the state. We have been able to fast track those homes by working cooperatively with both the community housing sector and private developers to unlock land and to provide Queenslanders with a roof over their head.”

‍