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PRESS RELEASE: New horizons for agricultural growth in north western Queensland

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Senator Roberts has praised the vision and innovation of the regional mayors in the Flinders Basin north western Queensland in tackling issues that will keep their towns vibrant and attractive places to live.

Travelling west from Townsville to Mt Isa, Senator Roberts saw first-hand the agricultural potential of the black soil plains of the Flinders Region, and assessed the value of a Bradfield-type scheme with an aerial study of Hells Gate and the Tully, Herbert and Burdekin River catchment areas.

“After lengthy discussions with the mayors and CEOs of Mt Isa City and the Flinders (Hughenden), Richmond, McKinlay (Julia Creek) and Cloncurry councils, I was impressed with the many innovative water projects in each of these council areas,” Senator Roberts said.

“There is no doubt the Flinders black soil region offers rich opportunities for agricultural development, and importantly, this will complement the existing traditional industry of livestock production.

The area from Hughenden to Julia Creek and north are natural grasslands and have been grazed for 150 years, so there are no native title or vegetation management issues to address.”

With water and willing farmers cultivating around 60,000 hectares, these black soil plains could deliver more than $2 billion in agricultural output. 

“Seeing the potential in this area I asked the mayors whether a Bradfield-type scheme would bring the water they needed,” Senator Roberts said.

“The answer was a resounding no, as every year they watch vast volumes of water in the Flinders, Leichhardt, Cloncurry Rivers flow pass their towns and out to the gulf.

“Harvesting and storing that surplus water will have no adverse environmental impacts, yet will invigorate these communities with new industry.

“It is literally a case of just add water, and that is exactly what the Queensland State Government needs to do by allocating the overdue promised water licences for agricultural development,” he said.

During his listening tour, Senator Roberts visited an experimental sorghum and cotton farm north of Julia Creek, which is being run by an experienced Murray Darling Basin farmer.

 “It was an impressive sight to look closely at these crops, and with more development for local conditions Etta Plains is a showcase for the regions’ farming potential,” he said.

“The growth for our regional Queensland towns from horticulture and the auxiliary industries is very exciting and these councils deserve maximum support from the state and federal governments.”

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Senator Roberts heading to north western Queensland

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Senator Malcolm Roberts is heading into north and western Queensland on Saturday 10 April, for a week long trip to see first-hand the tremendous horticultural potential of this area.

Genuine development of northern Queensland holds great promise for local communities bringing enormous wealth and opportunities for locals, making regional Queensland an even better place to live.

Senator Roberts will start with a charter flight from Townsville over to Mt Isa and then Normanton to look at the current irrigation projects, future dam sites and the connectivity between critical infrastructure.

Senator Roberts said, “We need to grow our way out of the devastating affects of border and business closures from COVID and north Queensland offers exceptional opportunities in horticulture and mining if we could just add water and affordable energy.

“To make north Queensland hum we need to ensure all the critical infrastructure works seamlessly together – the roads, railways, ports, affordable energy, well placed transmission lines and reliable water.”

After the charter flight Senator Roberts will visit dam sites and irrigation projects, broadacre cropping trials, and areas of future horticultural cultivation in the towns of Charters Towers, Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Mt Isa.

Senator Roberts added, “Just add water and affordable energy through hydro and we can transform this area of north Queensland.

“There is the potential to add between $10-20 billion worth of new agriculture to Queensland’s economy through increase production of food and the value adding that becomes affordable through hydro.”

“In addition to horticulture there is huge potential for mining rare earths in this area, yet outrageous electricity prices make these small mines unviable.”

During this visit Senator Roberts will look at our stranded assets that are languishing and wasting taxpayers money.

“North Queensland is an exciting place full of unrealised potential and it is a priority that we have a well thought out vision for this area to ensure the momentum of development gathers pace. “Every Australian would be proud to see more manufacturing brought back to Australian shores and affordable and reliable water and energy are foundation pieces.”

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