Burdekin Cane Growers Welcome Council Rates Reduction

Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) has welcomed Burdekin Shire Council's decision to reduce the sugarcane rate in the dollar as part of its 2026/27 budget, describing the move as welcome relief for local growers facing ongoing financial pressures.

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Earlier this year, Burdekin QCAR members raised concerns about rising land valuations and the impact higher rates would have on cane farming operations across the district.

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In response, QCAR submitted a community impact assessment to Burdekin Shire Council on behalf of its members and the wider community, outlining the financial challenges facing the sugar industry following several difficult seasons.

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The organisation said the assessment also highlighted the industry's broader economic contribution, noting that every dollar generated through on-farm activity returns an estimated $6.40 to the local economy, while the sugar industry supports almost one in three jobs across the Burdekin.

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Under the 2026/27 budget, Burdekin Shire Council reduced the Category D (Sugar Cane) rate from 3.508 cents in the dollar to 2.866 cents, representing an 18.3 per cent decrease.

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QCAR said the reduction demonstrated the council had listened to the concerns raised by local growers and recognised the pressures currently being experienced across the agricultural sector. The organisation said the lower rate would help offset the impact of increasing land valuations across the Burdekin, particularly at a time when some neighbouring local government areas, including Townsville, have announced rate increases.

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QCAR thanked Burdekin Shire Council for supporting sugarcane farmers and the wider community as the region continues to navigate a challenging year.

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