By Owen Menkens, CANEGROWERS Chairman
Cairns has taken on a sweet international flavour this week, with grower reps, policymakers and sugar industry experts from across the globe touching down for a major international conference.
It’s the first time in almost two decades that Australia has hosted the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG), so it’s more than just a feather in the cap – it’s a rare chance to put Queensland cane on the world stage.
Over three days, we’re getting stuck into the big topics – trade, climate, bioenergy, and the future of farming.
And while cane and beet are very different crops, grown in different conditions, the challenges and ambitions of growers around the world are surprisingly similar – including dealing with government regulations and concerns about international markets.
But it’s not all meeting rooms and keynote speeches. Delegates are out in the paddock too, seeing firsthand how cane is grown in the far north – where GPS tech, efficient irrigation and reef-safe practices are just part of the job. For many, it will be a real eye-opener.
And it couldn’t come at a better time. Here in Queensland, there’s fresh energy behind the idea that cane can power more than just our mills.
The Crisafulli Government has announced a parliamentary inquiry into how sugarcane could drive a new wave of clean energy – think electricity from bagasse and biofuels made from juice and molasses, including the kind of aviation fuel global airlines are crying out for.
These aren’t just concepts on a whiteboard. They’re proven technologies. What we need now is the right policy settings to scale them up and give investors the confidence to back them.
There’s a lot at stake – but also a lot to be excited about. A strong, modern cane industry means regional jobs, export income, and solutions to some of the world’s biggest energy problems.
The WABCG conference wraps up this week, but the ideas and connections made here could help shape what comes next.
Let’s hope the right people are paying attention.
In other news, CANEGROWERS has also welcomed the announcement earlier this month by the Crisafulli Government of a Parliamentary Inquiry into the potential of sugarcane-based bioenergy, calling it a vital step towards building a modern, diversified sugarcane industry in Queensland.
Chief Executive Officer Dan Galligan said the inquiry aligns strongly with CANEGROWERS' advocacy at the last state election and its ongoing push for a national feedstock strategy to support a homegrown biofuels industry.
“We’re pleased to see the government recognising the enormous opportunity Queensland has to become a world leader in renewable energy and bio-manufacturing built on sugarcane,” Mr Galligan said.
“This is about growing regional jobs, creating new markets and setting up the industry for long-term success.”
Mr Galligan said the inquiry's terms of reference reflect issues CANEGROWERS has been raising for years – particularly the shrinking availability of cane land due to urban expansion and large-scale renewable energy projects.
“The industry is ready. We’ve got the feedstock, the expertise and pilot projects already operating. What’s needed now is strong investment and a clear path forward,” he said.
CANEGROWERS is urging:
Growers to be included as partners in the process and in the future bioenergy industry – not just consulted, but actively involved.
The milling sector to step up with large-scale investment in modern, future-ready infrastructure.
The State and Federal Governments to back the industry with serious investment in a sugarcane-based bioeconomy – spanning green electricity, biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, bioplastics and more.
Government support for the development of micro-grids that would enable sugar mills to sell power directly to sugarcane growers. **
“This inquiry is the catalyst. But growers need a seat at the table, and momentum must build quickly from here,” Mr Galligan said.
“We’re ready to work with government and millers to turn this opportunity into real outcomes for regional Queensland.
“Let’s not spend nine months re-learning what we already know. Let’s move forward, together – with urgency and purpose.”
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