Local irrigation schemes chairs appointed

The new chairs are:

Emerald - Annette Smith.

Eton - Geoff Kavanagh.

St George - Luke Stower.

Theodore - Elizabeth Alexander.

Bundaberg - Maurice Maughan.

Burdekin-Haughton - Mario Barbagallo.

Mareeba-Dimbulah - Joe Moro.

Lower Mary - Geoff Wormwell.

Queensland Farmers Federation president Stuart Armitage said the appointments were the final step towards empowering Queensland’s agricultural communities with the control required to manage and grow the sector in their respective regions.

“All eight of the schemes fall within major intensive agricultural regions with the cotton, horticulture and sugar cane industries represented,” Mr Armitage said.

“The local chair appointments are a culmination of over 2.5 years of local, industry and government cooperation and discussions. QFF and its member organisations have been integral in this process.

“QFF have and continue to play a role in ensuring the State Government understands the importance of moving forward with the implementation of locally managed irrigation schemes.”

Mr Armitage said the QFF acknowledged the significant progress that had been made in establishing the individual scheme Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).

However, there still one unresolved appointment.

“The selection of the chair of the 5th Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV5) remains a critical requirement and QFF will continue to work with the government to resolve this,” Mr Armitage said. 

“We look forward to working with the government and our member organisations to ensure the success and viability of these locally managed irrigation schemes and assist in the transition of the remaining irrigation schemes.

“QFF commend the government for its continued support for locally managed viable agriculture into the future.”

The announcement comes off the back of a 2016-17 state budget commitment of a further $6.9 million to provide total funding of $8.9 million for Stage 3 of the Local Management Arrangements Project.