Farmers and growers of the Burdekin received a visit from Water Minister Glenn Butcher last week, with Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables’ (QCAR) water committee securing time with the visiting Minister.
Mr Butcher, the Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water, met with the QCAR Burdekin Irrigators last Wednesday, December 6 to discuss the issue of rising groundwater as well as issues surrounding the supply and pricing of water in the region.
“It was a really good meeting,” said QCAR Manager Melissa Boulter.
“We discussed everything to do with Gladys Lagoon, the rising ground water, Sunwater, and basically all things water in the Burdekin River Irrigation Area.
“The Minister was very open and engaged with us.”
Mr Butcher said he is committed to visiting the Burdekin again before the end of the year to meet local irrigators and hear their rising groundwater concerns.
“I’m a big believer in getting out on the ground to see things firsthand and hear from local irrigators on their properties,” he said.
“It was great to talk with local irrigators and hear their concerns; and also their views on solutions moving forward.
“The visit was a good opportunity to see Sunwater’s Lower Burdekin Rising Groundwater Mitigation Project underway, thanks to $12.5 million funding from both the Australian and Queensland Governments.
“This is one of our state’s most important agriculture regions, so we need to work together to tackle this problem.
“Clearly, there needs to be off-farm and on-farm activities in place to tackle this challenge and I’m happy to work with irrigators and other stakeholders to advocate for further support for these works.
“I’m grateful for the generosity of growers who met with me to share their views on this important issue.”
QCAR Burdekin Irrigators is a branch of QCAR’s Board and associated grower support services, advocating for its members throughout Queensland.
The committee is headed by Chair Cy Kovacich alongside members Dean Sgroi and Peter Hall while Ms Boulter supports the committee.
It consists of experienced growers who have, at one point or another, been a Director of an organisation within the sugar and irrigators industries in the local area.
They bring with them a plethora of knowledge and support for our growers.
“We make sure our growers are getting the right services and support,” said Ms Boulter.
A major issue facing the growers of the Burdekin is the rising groundwater in parts of the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme, threatening the productivity and sustainability of agriculture in the Lower Burdekin region.
Sunwater is delivering the Lower Burdekin Rising Groundwater Mitigation Project alongside government, industry, customers and community to respond to rising groundwater in the Lower Burdekin.
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