Cane land protection on agenda

The future viability of Sunshine Coast cane land is under threat, with the use of the erosion of multi-title properties for housing being a real risk to a significant amount of the region’s agricultural land.

Sunshine Coast councillors have sought a position paper from CEO John Knaggs detailing the issues surrounding the region’s cane lands and their future viability.

Councillors have revealed they are being approached by farmers keen to sell off land to developers.

The councillors want to develop a strategy to manage the risk, with an emphasis on protection of riparian corridors, the retention for agricultural purposes of as much cane land as possible and the development of sustainable incomes for farmers.

Councillor Vivien Griffin said many farms were held under multiple land titles, which could be legally sold individually, resulting in serious risk to the cane lands and the potential development of the biocane industry.

It would also put in doubt the ability to retain sufficient land to develop a high-quality biodiesel industry.

“This is happening already,’’ she said. “We are seeing houses popping up on slabs on the floodplains and this is not a good outcome.’’

Councillor Debbie Blumel revealed she had written to the federal minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, Tony Burke, calling on the government to honour the payment of $1.301 million, in Sugar Industry Reform Program grant money, to Biocane Ltd.

“The grant money would release investment funds to support growers to rehabilitate degraded farmlands, to accelerate cane planting and production,” Ms Blumel said.

She raised concerns with the minister about his department’s review of the grant in the dying days of the Howard government saying it was a politically motivated act aimed at crippling the industry rather than assisting its survival.

“I have always found Biocane Ltd’s company directors and managing director to be honest brokers who are absolutely committed to their business and to due diligence… they have made a solid commitment to Biocane Ltd and they deserve greater respect than has been afforded them.” Ms Blumel said in her letter to the minister.

Her bid to have the grant money released would also unlock $500,000 in funding provided by the former Maroochy council.

source:thedaily