The Australian New Crops Newsletter

Issue No 7, January 1997.

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.

10.6 Community support for new crops

The prosperity and economy of the Eastern Darling Down region is largely based on primary industries, so for this region to be prosperous these industries must be strong. The region has been experiencing an economic crisis in recent years due to lo w profitability, and this has been exacerbated by four years of severe drought. However, with innovative planning it has the potential to return to high productivity and economic viability, with strong employment opportunities.

Rural industries can become more profitable through the development of new enterprises, so the consideration of new crop options for the region is particularly timely. The development of new crops and enterprises requires development of markets as well as agronomy, and this can be achieved more effectively with coordination across the region.

The Eastern Downs Regional Organisation of Councils (EDROC) has commissioned a "Regional Environmental Strategy" for the Eastern Darling Downs region, to provide a framework to plan and coordinate initiatives with a rural, environmental and employment focus. This study is being funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Australian Local Government Association.

Need for coordination

The most serious limitations identified in this study are the lack of coordination across the region, and lack of action on implementing initiatives.

There are numerous groups addressing issues in the region, and many have developed strategies and plans. However, implementation of actions has been difficult because different groups have been operating in isolation, and they have often lacked the exp ertise to obtain the necessary support.

Proposal for coordination in the Downs region

A proposal for coordinating initiatives across the region has been recommended, and is currently being considered by EDROC. This will have implications in assisting producers requiring support for developing new crops.

  1. A Regional Coordinating Body should be established for the Eastern Downs region to facilitate overall coordination and the expertise to develop proposals proactively for funding to support initiatives for the region.
  2. The new body should include the relevant stakeholders, with each stakeholder group having representation on the Board.
  3. Regional Issue Groups should be established for rural industries, water and environment to identify opportunities for support
  4. Initiatives identified by the Coordinating Body will be implemented and funded through projects submitted to organisations such as the Southern Inland Queensland REDO (Regional Economic Development Organisation), DPIE (Commonwealth Department of Prima ry Industry and Energy), QDPI (Queensland Department of Primary Industries), TSBI (Department of Tourism, Small Business and Industry), Rural Research and Development Corporations, Landcare and DEET (Department of Employment, Education and Training). Prop osals supported by a coordinated Regional Coordinating Body will receive more favourable consideration than if submitted by individual groups without regional support.

Contact:
John McVeigh
Telephone: (076) 387 71I
Facsimile: (076) 387 715

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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originally created by: GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF