QCAR Plans For The Future Of Sugarcane At Its Strategic Planning Workshop

In alignment with the organisation’s growth and vision, Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) hosted its first strategic planning workshop last week, inviting directors, future directors, members and other stakeholders to discuss QCAR’s role in the sugarcane industry.

Approximately 25 attendees from the Burdekin, Herbert and Mackay regions gathered in Townsville to talk through the company’s strategic goals and priorities, strategies, organisational structure and governance arrangements, laying a robust foundation for the organisation’s future.

“We aimed to establish the current landscape of the industry and how QCAR intends to capture opportunities within it,” QCAR Chief Strategy Officer Michael Kern said.

“The workshop focused heavily on the evolution of QCAR, highlighting its accomplishments thus far, critically assessing existing arrangement and operations, and clearly articulating our current value proposition to those who have yet to join QCAR.”

During the two-day workshop, participants engaged in sessions covering strategy, renewables, resources and policy.

“We aimed to collaborate with all stakeholders to discern their expectations for desired outcomes from a sugarcane farming representative organisation,” Mr Kern said.

“We aimed to collaborate with all stakeholders to discern their expectations for desired outcomes from a representative organisation in sugarcane farming,” Mr Kern said.

“The discussions delved into the expansion of QCAR’s role into ‘Renewables’, exploring diverse opportunities beyond sugar production, such as bioenergy, biofuels, food, plastics, hydrogen and electricity.”

Mr Kern underscored the need for swift action, saying, “If we don’t move quickly to take on these opportunities and use our base product of sugarcane to develop these energies, we’ll miss the boat.

“It offered a significant opportunity for collective brainstorming, fostering an environment where all participants thoughtfully shared their ideas.

“Following this, detailed discussions delved into the critical aspects of resources and budgets.

“Subsequently, the workshop shifted its focus to explore potential enhancements in QCAR’s organisational structure, the goal to strengthen the organisation’s role in providing on-the-ground support.”

Mr Kern expressed the importance of refining policies and governance to effectively represent members.

Key strategic outcomes from the workshop will be fine-tuned in QCAR’s monthly meetings, paving the way for a comprehensive strategic plan.

Mr Kern acknowledged the challenges ahead stating, “The challenge now is to prepare a strategic plan for the board’s approval, consult with our members, and operationalise it and execute it in a timely manner.”

Mr Kern shared his excitement at the vast potential and opportunities for QCAR and its members in diversifying the sugarcane industry.

“The sugarcane industry has been traditionally used to produce sugar, but there is so much more potential out there,” he said.

“If we don’t move quickly to take on these opportunities and use our base product of sugarcane to develop these energies, we’ll miss the boat.

“QCAR is steadfast in leading innovation and progress within the sugarcane industry.

“With deep insights into the industry’s ever-evolving landscape, QCAR confidently pioneers the way forward, ensuring sustainable growth and success.

“QCAR acknowledges its crucial role in bolstering Australia’s economy, harnessing the rich resources of soil, sunlight and water to cultivate a robust and resilient economic environment.”

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