Sorghum growing in North Queensland. Source: Southern Gulf NRM

THE QUEENSLAND Government has committed $2 million to develop a common-user grain storage facility in the state’s north-west as part of a $76M support package for future industries.

The proposed facility is one of 59 council or state government-led projects announced on Friday, which includes a focus on new or emerging industries.

Also launched last week were four Regional Economic Strategies for North West Queensland; Darling Downs, South West and South Burnett region; Central Queensland; and the Greater Whitsunday region.

The strategies support the basis for projects funded via the State Government’s $200M Regional Economic Futures Fund.

The North West Queensland plan highlights the priorities of: agricultural diversification; clean and sustainable energy; sustainable supply chains; tourism opportunities; and the production and processing of minerals.

The strategy identified the region as having a significant opportunity “to diversify and expand the agricultural footprint” from mostly cattle grazing to high-value cropping and the development of “more intensive agricultural practices like cotton gins”.

Broadacre crops such as sorghum, cotton, sesame, and mungbeans were identified for possible expansion in the north-west region as well as the option to expand irrigated agriculture.

Alongside funding for a storage facility, other NW Qld agriculture projects announced on Friday included:

• $750,000 for a new grants program with a focus on technology-enabled diversification pathways for established agribusinesses;
• $400,000 to develop an investment prospectus for the Etheridge Agricultural Precinct; and,
• $750,000 for an investment plan to support First Nations agriculture, bushfoods and botanicals.

In the Central Queensland region, agricultural industries could benefit from a $1M Qld Government-led project to progress industrial land and transport-precinct planning in Rockhampton.

Also named as a successful project is $850,000 for a business case investigating the South Yaamba Irrigation Development.

To be led by the Rockhampton Regional Council, the project is expected to enable extensive horticultural development and food-manufacturing opportunities in the Gracemere and Parkhurst industrial areas.

In the Greater Whitsunday’s region, the Qld Government will lead a project to prepare an infrastructure plan and catalyse development in the Mackay State Development Area – Future Foods Precinct.

The project has been allocated $4M in funding.

The Maranoa and Murweh Shire Councils are named as proponents for a project investigating Intermodal Hub/Inland Port precincts in the Murweh and Maranoa regions.

The $450,000 project will include the development of a business case and feasibility study for intermodal and freight-exchange facilities in Roma and Charleville.

Also located in the Darling Downs, South West and South Burnett region, the Southern Downs Regional Council will be leading work focused on repurposing ag waste.

The project aims to trial mobile ag-waste collection and pre-processing at several small-to-medium councils, with the aim of developing a business case model to reduce landfill and divert hard-to process stockpiles of ag waste to achieve circular-economy or energy-to-waste outcomes.

All regions will benefit from Qld Government-led project to investigate biomass and waste for SAF feedstock.

This project received $125,000 in funding.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the work will support new industries in regional communities as well as driving energy transformation in the state.

“I’m focused on creating opportunities in the industries of the future and delivering the clean, reliable and affordable energy that Queenslanders need,” Mr Miles said.

“My government’s Regional Transformation Strategies will underpin our state’s low-emissions global economy, while supporting economic uplift in regional communities.”

Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said the work is in partnership with local councils and industries.

“Harnessing the skills of regional Queenslanders will play a huge role in driving the State’s future economic development,” Ms Grace said.

“We will continue to partner with local government, industry and the wider community in the regions to unlock the benefits of the decarbonising economy.”

Source: Queensland Government