Thursday, May 23, 2024

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

North Queensland Drought Resilience Receives Federal Budget Boosts

The Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience, Adoption and Innovation Hub (TNQ Drought Hub) has secured funding to extend its efforts in North Queensland for several more years following last week’s announcement of the Federal Government’s record commitment of over $500 million to the Future Drought Fund.
Led by James Cook University, the TNQ Drought Hub is one of eight national hubs tasked with implementing and supporting practices for drought preparedness.
The Hub has been collaborating with farmers, researchers and industry to spearhead drought-resilience initiatives across North Queensland since its establishment in 2022.
Hub Director Professor David Phelps said the funding will enable them to continue a range of programs designed to bolster and support drought preparedness for North Queensland’s agricultural communities.
“This funding extension is pivotal for our region,” said Professor Phelps.
“It ensures the continuation of key TNQ Drought Hub and partner initiatives, including governance, leadership and succession workshops to prepare the next generation, advanced ESG research for practical on-farm adoption, and scholarship programs for honours and PhD students to propel forward their innovative research in finding solutions for our communities.”
Professor Phelps noted that the commitment to long-term funding, as opposed to sporadic short-term allocations, will enable the Hub to implement longer-lasting projects.
“We know that farms and producers in North Queensland experience different challenges to our southern counterparts,” said Professor Phelps.
“With secure, long-term funding, we can now ensure our projects and activities will have more meaning and impact on our region. We will also be able to seek out additional opportunities to collaborate closely with more communities and industry partners to address regional priorities and opportunities for future sustainable solutions.
“We’ve had terrific success over the last three years and are looking forward to continuing to help our primary producers and their communities prepare for the impacts of drought and work with the other Hubs nationally to ensure there is collaboration across the country.”

TNQ Drought Hub Director Professor David Phelps. Photo supplied

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