NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the
Advice on Publications Available.[Readers are also referred to another article by Jean McRuvie in a later issue of the Newsletter]
Over the last five years, there has been an increasing emphasis on the need for communities to look regionally, rather than parochially, for development and investment opportunities. For Central Queensland, this is particularly true as the region cover s vast distances from Mackay down to Gladstone and out to Jericho with many rural communities too small to be significant on their own but still being vital links in a regional economy.
A regional tourism body, the Capricorn Tourism and Development Organisation, was formed ten years ago in Rockhampton, quickly followed by a breakaway group in Gladstone and although these organisations had partial mandates to address development issues , local areas were not willing to forego their own parochial interests for the regional good and as a result, most initiatives failed. However, five years ago another organisation was formed in the Central Highlands, the Central Highlands Promotions and D evelopment Organisation, and since this time similar organisations have been formed in Banana, Taroom and another one in Rockhampton.
Officers in these regional development boards were extremely cognisant of the fact that their own organisations did not have the resources to look at large regional issues effectively and so a regional task force was established in 1993 to examine regi onal initiatives that would affect the whole economy.
In 1994, the then Labour Government established the Kelty Task Force to look at the prohibitors to regional development and this task force was quickly followed by the McKinsey Report on regional rejuvenation. Both reports recognised the need for regio nal growth and for fostering leaders. As a result, the REDO's (Regional Economic Development Organisations) initiative was introduced. This initiative provided groups such as the Central Queensland Task Force with a funding base over three years which wou ld allow the organisation to employ staff and progress specific regional issues through to completion.
In Central Queensland at this time, we still have our smaller regional development bodies whose job it is to look at micro issues involving the economies of their regions, while CREDO - CQ is to examine major issues such as the provision of water infra structure and port facilities.
Water provision is of particular interest to the region which has suffered considerably from the recent drought. Although less than 20% of the region's economy is directly generated by agriculture (the major economic generator is coal mining), service provision to the primary industry sector accounts for a major slice of the region's economic activity. However, due to the drought the major water storage area for the region, the Fairbairn Dam, has been at an unprecedentedly low level and cotton growers have been faced with a 1996/97 season with little or no water allocation.
In the Biloela region, the story is the same and even nearer the coast the region has had the least rainfall in memory. This means that, despite good prices for wheat and sorghum, many farmers are unable to capitalise on this due to their inability to produce adequate yields.
Beef cattle, grains, in particular sorghum and wheat, cotton and horticulture account for much of the primary industry sector although the last two years has seen a considerable shift in attitudes of primary producers who have recognised that pure comm odity production in a volatile world marketplace is fraught with difficulties.
There is growing interest in new and emerging industries as possible additions to existing farm enterprises. This has arisen as a result of the declining terms of trade of primary producers and the need to maximise resources.
Over the past four years, the region has experienced a rapid growth in interest and production of citrus with the largest irrigated citrus orchard in the Southern Hemisphere being established at Emerald. Over 250,000 trees have been planted with export s of mandarins growing each season. Table grape production has also increased with new vineyards being established by southern growers, looking to extend their season, and international growers expanding their operations.
The mango and pineapple industries in the coastal regions are strong and there is a growing interest in other tropical fruits. Lychees, longans and other more exotic fruits are being grown in increasing numbers to service primarily the domestic market, and there is the long term aim to develop exports.
Trials have been conducted on native flowers throughout the region to determine the best species to suit the climate and soils. Geraldton wax, rice flower and kangaroo paw have been particularly successful and this year will see the first commercial qu antities being exported to Japan.
Herbs and some species of bush tucker are also being trialled and results so far have been very encouraging. Although not a large market, the opportunities for value adding these products is high and processing is a major aim.
Peanuts are being grown more widely in the region but the large water requirements have meant a slower adoption of the crop during the drought. However, there is considerable interest in this crop and once there is water available, it is anticipated th at plantings will increase.
Along with many areas of Queensland, industrial hemp is a crop that many people would like to explore and other fibre crops such as kenaf and ramie have been trialled with good results. The opportunity to produce brickettes of kenaf to improve portabil ity needs to be explored further but research money has not been available for this to date.
Redclaw crayfish has caught the imagination of many people and there are a number of small enterprises being established. Unfortunately, in common with most other areas, very few of these enterprises are large enough to consistently produce sufficient quantity of product to adequately service the market but it is hoped that this will gradually change over the next five years as production increases.
The same applies to the emu industry. Although much interest has been shown in the industry over the past two years, difficulties with processing, marketing and distribution have made many people think again.
The region still relies heavily on bulk commodity production but the primary industry sector is gradually becoming more diversified and Central Queensland has the opportunity to become a region which can supply a wide variety of product over the whole year. With the work currently underway, this opportunity will be turned into reality over the next five years.
Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter
Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email:
r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au[
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GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF