RURAL REPORT
SRA to build industry knowledge on interactions between on-farm practice and water quality
SUGARCANE growers in multiple priority catchments of the Great Barrier Reef will gain a clearer understanding of the relationship between farm management and water quality through a new project to be undertaken by Sugar Research Australia (SRA). Called Cane to Creek 2.0, the project expands on two successful water quality projects that have been running in the Wet Tropics under the direction of SRA. These projects have looked at herbicide, pesticide and nutrient management in multiple catchments of Far North Queensland. Cane to Creek 2.0 will build on the momentum of these projects and expand their footprint across sugarcane growing regions from Mossman to the Burdekin. Cane to Creek 2.0 is funded by a partnership
between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with support from SRA. SRA Executive Manager, Regional Delivery, Mr Ian McBean, said this investment would improve understanding and acceptance of the link between farming practices and water quality. “This will lead to increased adoption of improved practices that have been shown to improve productivity, profitability and sustainability for the sugarcane industry,” Mr McBean said. “Building on that, Cane to Creek 2.0 will provide a platform in a number of priority catchments for growers, researchers and advisors to agree on and test potential solutions to better match nitrogen and herbicide application to their specific requirements.”
As the lead agency for the Australian sugarcane industry, SRA plays a pivotal role investing in and researching activities related to the interaction between farming systems and water quality. Mount Sophia farmer Glen Anderson is a keen participant in the existing Cane to Creek project that has been running in the Mulgrave area for the last two years. “Farmers want to know what’s coming off their farms and whether they can improve it,” Mr Anderson said. “Farmers learn more on their own farm and it reinforces what we’ve learnt in the workshops, seen in the training, and read in the magazines. By getting involved you can find out exactly what’s coming off your farm and by trying out different practices you can see what difference it makes
to your costs, yields and water quality. This is a win for the industry and for our environmental sustainability.” Fishery Falls grower Len Parisi is also involved in the current project and said it gave him the facts about what was happening on his farm. “We want to save the reef as well, like everybody else, so that’s what we’re doing here. Although there has been lots of research done on this, as a grower it’s good to have real data, sit down, and have a look at it,” Mr Parisi said. “As we get more data, we can continue to modify our practices and then we can know that we’re reducing run-off of nutrients and chemicals into the waterways. Then we can educate everybody what we are doing on farm, because we are in a pretty sensitive area.”
FNQ Growers Celebrate Pacific Labour Mobility Partnership
FNQ Growers has celebrated the unique partnership between Australia and Papua New Guinea which is helping connect farmers across the region with a workforce. The organisation hosted an event with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Marise Payne, and PNG ministerial dignitaries including Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Rimbink Pato, Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations Mehrra Kipefa and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister William Samb. The event celebrated the relationship between the two countries, specifically under the Pacific Labour Mobility program, which is one of a suite of solutions being delivered by Leanne Kruss, Agriculture Workforce Manager (FNQ), to address workforce challenges in the regional agri-food sector. Senator Payne said Pacific mobility was an important part of the Pacific Step Up. The StepUp is a range of measures to strengthen Australia’s
engagement with the Pacific. “We know the capabilities that you have in PNG will address the challenges that farming and business people in Australia find in filling so many of these roles,” Senator Payne said. “The potential is enormous.” Ms Kruss said Far North Queensland was a major benefactor of pacific labour mobility programs. “It is very rewarding to be a part of the partnership, particularly in our region where the real benefits are being delivered on the ground,” Ms Kruss said. “An industry’s most valuable asset is its workforce, and I’m happy to report that our farms are strategically embracing opportunities such as those presented by pacific labour programs as part of their core business strategies. “The pacific labour programs have proven to show benefits over other labour sources in the low skilled area of employ-
ment. “Increasing benefits and efficiency are produced through economies of scale year on year with workers returning to employers work ready, trained and familiar with their operating site. Papua New Guinea Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Rimbink Pato praised the close working relationship between the two countries, particularly in labour mobility. “This will empower our people to bring needed skills and needed remittances to the rural communities in PNG,” Mr Pato said. “It is a very important focus of the partnership. “ Ends For more information on the Pacific labour mobility programs or media comment, please call Leanne Kruss on 0431 743 633 or leanneFNQAgriculture@gmail.com FNQ Growers Media Release Lea Coghlan - Communication Consultant FNQ Growers
SRA appoints new General Manager, Research Funding Unit: Dr Harjeet Khanna
SRA Adoption Officer Gavin Rodman, Fishery Falls farmer Glen Anderson, SRA Principal Researcher Belinda Billing, and Technician Chris Sterling installing water quality monitoring equipment at Glen’s farm in October 2018 as part of the Cane to Creek project.
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SUGAR Research Australia (SRA) has appointed Dr Harjeet Khanna as General Manager of the Research Funding Unit within SRA. The SRA Research Funding Unit helps to inform and manage SRA’s investments in research, development and adoption (RD&A) activities that deliver profitability, productivity and sustainability outcomes for sugarcane growers and millers. The RFU work with the Research Funding Panel (RFP), which is an independent skills-based panel appointed by the SRA Board. The RFP and RFU ensure there is a rigorous evaluation process for potential projects and investments and that they align with the objectives of the SRA Strategic Plan and government priori-
ties. The RFU and RFP also receive guidance from grower and millers through advisory committees. SRA CEO Mr Neil Fisher said that Dr Khanna was previously a Program Manager within the RFU team and she comes to the role with wide-ranging scientific and management experience. “Dr Khanna has extensive experience in plant tissue culture, biotechnology and molecular biology and a distinguished research career in Australia and overseas, working on a range of crops,” Mr Fisher said. “She is also wellknown to SRA’s research partners with whom we invest, through her role as a Program Manager since 2013. She has played a crucial role in overseeing a range of projects,
including the major program of work on yellow canopy syndrome (YCS). “These skills will be a strong asset to SRA and the industry and we look forward to Dr Khanna taking on this role within the Executive Team at SRA.” Dr Khanna said she looked forward to continuing to build on an effective research program for the Australian sugar industry, working in partnership with the rest of the RFU team and the Research Funding Panel. “SRA continues to be firmly focused on outcomes-driven research that delivers on the needs of our investors. The RFU play a key role in that and I look forward to continuing that in this role,” Dr Khanna said.
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COMMUNITY NEWS commit indictable offence and will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 1992.
Break and enter, Innisfail: Sometime between Sunday March 10 and Monday March 12, a business located on Fitzgerald Esplanade, Innisfail was broken into. Initial investigations suggest the offender/s entered the business by causing damage to door hinges. On Wednesday March 13, police from Innisfail Child Protection Unit have spoken to a 14-year-old Cullinane boy in relation to the break and enter. The boy was later charged with enter premises and commit indictable offence and will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 1992. Exceed speed, Damper Creek: At 3:55pm on Tuesday March 12, a 63-yearold NSW man received a $261 infringement notice and 3 demerit point deduction. Police allege the man was travelling at 116km/h in a 100km/h speed zone on the Bruce Highway, Damper Creek. Unlicensed driving, Mission Beach: On Tuesday March 12, police intercepted a 26-year-old Mission Beach man on Seaview Street. Checks of the man’s licence revealed his licence was suspended. The vehicle he was driving has been immobilised for a period of 7 days. The man is scheduled to appear at the Tully Magistrates Court on March 28. Non-suspicious fire, Innisfail: On Tuesday March 12, police and fire services were called to an address on Moriarty Street at about 9pm. Upon arrival the fire had been extinguished by neighbours and occupants of the dwelling. Initial investigation revealed the fire started from a slow burn in an armchair located outside and under an open carport. No persons were injured and damage was contained to the carport and side of the dwelling. Break and enter, East Innisfail: At about 3:30am on Wednesday March 13 an unknown offender entered a dwelling via an unlocked door on Mary Street, East Innisfail. Occupants of the dwelling were asleep at the time. The offender has disturbed the occupants and has then decamped the premises. The occupants have discovered that a black iPhone was stolen at the time. Investigations are continuing and police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 and quoting crime report number QP1900506479. Stealing offence, Innisfail: At about 2:30pm on Wednesday March 13, a mobile phone was stolen from the public toilets located in Anzac Park. The victim left her mobile phone in the public toilets and returned a short time later and her phone was gone. The phone is an iPhone 8S Plus in an orange cover. Break and enter charge, Innisfail: At about 1:15am on Thursday March 14, a business on Edith Street was broken into. Police will allege a 15-year-old Innisfail girl has gained entry to a communal kitchen via a roller door. Once inside the girl has filled a number of bags with consumable items and other personal items belonging to occupant at the address. Police have viewed CCTV and identified the offender. She was later charged with burglary and
Break and enter, Innisfail: Sometime between March 13 and March 14, a school on Emily Street, Innisfail was broken into. An unknown offender/s have gained entry to a classroom by removing a sliding glass window. Once inside the offender/s have located a Dell laptop, a small black and yellow wheelie-bin containing children’s hats, consumable goods and a small black zip case containing a hearing-aid belonging to a student at the school. The offender/s have left the premisies with these items. Investigations are continuing and police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 and quoting police reference number QP1900515424. Public nuisance, Innisfail: Police have issued a 22-year-old Innisfail woman with a public nuisance ticket after a disturbance on Fitzgerald Esplanade on March 14. At about 12pm police were called to a disturbance on Fitzgerald Esplanade. Police have spoke to a man and a woman known to each other. The woman was later issued with a $391 infringement notice for disorderly behaviour. On a separate incident, police were called to earlier disturbance at Anzac Park at about 11am. Police have spoken to a an 18-year-old Innisfail man who was involved in a fight with a male known to him. The 18-year-old man received a $391 infringement notice for disorderly behaviour. Stealing offence, Innisfail: A 24-year-old Innisfail woman has been charged for stealing. Police will allege at about 6pm on March 14, the woman entered a business on Clare Street, Innisfail. The woman has walked around the business collecting a number of items and placing them in a trolley. The woman has left the store with the trolley and has made no attempt to pay for the items. The items stolen were valued at $156 A short time later the woman was located by police. She was arrested and transported to the Innisfail Police Station. The woman was charged for stealing and is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court April 15. Drug charges, Goondi Hill: At about 1am on March 15, Police have intercepted a vehicle on Palmerston Drive, Innisfail. Police will allege that whilst speaking with the driver of the vehicle, a 34-year-old man from Flying Fish Point, they have located an amount of drugs and drug utensils. The man was charged with two counts each of possess drug utensils and one charge of possessing a dangerous drug. The man is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on April 8. Stolen fuel, Birkalla: On Saturday March 16, Police were notified of a theft of Diesel fuel from a property on Mission Beach Road. Sometime between Tuesday March 12 and Friday March 15, an unknown offender/s have entered a rural property on Tully Mission Beach Road and stolen an unknown amount of fuel from a tank at the front of the property. Public nuisance, Innisfail: On Saturday March 16, a 46-year-old Goondi Hill woman was arrested for being intoxicat-
ed in a public place Police will allege they observed the woman at about 5.30pm walking on Edith Street. Upon further inquiries, it was noted that she was in breach of a bail condition and was subsequently arrested. The woman caused a disturbance before being transported to the Innisfail Watchhouse. The woman was charged with one count each of breaching a bail condition, public nuisance and obstruct police and is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on March 18. Assault charge, Innisfail: At about 9.45pm on March 16, police were called to a disturbance on Glady Street. Police will allege at about 9.30pm, a man and woman known to each other have been involved in a verbal argument which then turned physical. The woman was arrested and transported to the Innisfail Watchhouse and was charged with assault. She is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on April 1. Speeding offences, Cassowary Coast: Several speeding and traffic offences were detected over the weekend. A total of 31 various traffic infringement notices were issued on Saturday and Sunday. Police would like to remind drivers to slow down, check their speed and drive to the conditions of the road. Always be alert and aware of the speed zones you are travelling in and never drive whilst talking on a handheld mobile phone. Mighel: A 26-year-old Innisfail woman was detected speeding in a 60km/h zone on March 15. Police allege the woman was detected travelling at 70km/h on River Avenue and she was issued with a $174 infringement notice and one demerit point. Bruce Highway: On March 15, a 43-yearold Manoora man was detected travelling 94km/h in an 80km/h zone at El Arish. He was issued with $261 infringement notice and three demerit points. El Arish: A 39-year-old man from Forest Beach was issued with a $435 infringement notice and four demerit points. Police allege he was detected travelling at 105km/h in an 80km/h speed zone on the Bruce Highway at El Arish on March 15. Cardwell: A 66-year-old Thuringowa Central man was detected exceeding the speed limit in an 80km/h speed zone. Police allege on March 16 on the Bruce Highway he was detected travelling at 99km/h. He was issued with a $261 infringement notice and three demerit points. Pin Gin Hill: A 27-year-old Fishers Creek man was fined $652 and six demerit points on March 17. At 2.11pm Sunday on Henderson Drive, police detected the man travelling at 99kn/h in an 80km/h speed zone. The man was also observed using his mobile phone whilst driving. Stealing and trespass, Cardwell: On March 18, Cardwell Police have charged a 42-year-old man from Cardwell with stealing and trespass. Police will allege the man entered the carport area of a dwelling on Victoria Street and stolen property of a man known to him at that address. He is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court March 19. Attempted arson, Mission Beach: Police are investigating an attempted arson of a demountable building located on Trump Point Road, Mission Beach. Sometime between March 15 and March 18 an unknown offender/s have attempted to kick the door in of the building. The offender/s were unsuccessful and have then made a hole in the flyscreen and poured a flammable liquid into the building through the hole. The flammable liquid was not set alight. Anyone with information that can help solve
this crime should contact police or Crime Stoppers. Unlicensed driving, Birkalla: On Monday March 18 whilst conducting mobile patrols, police intercepted a 50-yearold Caravonica man driving on Tully Mission Beach Road. Checks revealed his driver’s licence was expired and he was issued with a $200 infringement notice. Shop stealing, Innisfail: Police are investigating a stealing offence that occurred at a business on Edith Street. At about 10.40am on Monday March 18, an unknown man entered the business and removed an item that was for sale and concealed it within a diary he was carrying at the time. The man then left the business with making any attempt to pay for the item. Anyone with information that can help solve this crime should contact police or Crime Stoppers. Shop stealing, Innisfail: At about 9.20am on Monday March 18, an unknown man entered a business on Edith Street. The man walked around the business placing several items into a bag and then left without making any attempt to pay for the items. The items stolen came to a total of $55. Anyone with information that can help solve this crime should contact police or Crime Stoppers. Speeding offence, Cowley: On Monday March 18, a 58-year-old Mount Sheridan man received a $174 infringement notice and one demerit point. He was detected traveling at 102km/h in a 90km/h zone on the Bruce Highway at Cowley. Stealing, Innisfail: Police are investigating a stealing offence from a business located on Edith Street. At about 3:40pm on Tuesday March 19, an unknown male and female entered the business and selected a number of items from the shelves within the business. The female was observed walking out of the business without making any attempt to pay for an item she has collected. Police are reviewing CCTV footage and are will be conducting further enquiries. Wilful damage, Innisfail: Sometime between Sunday March 17 and Tuesday March 19 an unknown offender has caused damage to a vehicle located at an address on Glady Street, Innisfail. The vehicle’s front and rear window have been damaged. Anyone with information that can help solve this crime should contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers. Traffic offences, Cassowary Coast: A few traffic offences were detected and infringement notices issued yesterday. Police urge drivers to slow down and be aware of the speed zones. Check your vehicle registration and drivers licence expiry date to avoid any unnecessary fines. If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day. You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day. Quote these reference numbers: QP1900531223 QP1900545569, QP1900547993, QP1900548257
Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, March 21, 2019 Page 9