Maryborough sugarcane growers and the wider sugar industry have welcomed a $1.9 million funding commitment from the state government for transloading facility infrastructure.
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The commitment follows close on the heels of a $2.5 million pledge from the federal government to support the plan that will see sugarcane grown, harvested and hauled in the Maryborough region milled into raw sugar at the Isis Central Sugar Mill at Childers.
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Australian Sugar Milling Council chief executive David Pietsch said the transloading facility infrastructure will help safeguard hundreds of jobs in the Wide Bay-Burnett region.
Mr Pietsch said the funding was critical for enabling cane to be transported to Isis Central Sugar Mill, and he commended the Australian and Queensland governments for their funding commitments.
"We have worked to support our member Isis Central Sugar Mill and are pleased they have secured government support for this transport infrastructure to allow Maryborough region growers to deliver an estimated 380,000 tonnes of cane to the mill at Childers from this season," Mr Pietsch said.
"The funding commitments announced by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt, and Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Member for Maryborough and Assistant Minister Bruce Saunders, highlight the importance both governments place on the sugar industry for jobs,'' Mr Pietsch said.
"At a time of economic upheaval for many industries and Queensland households, the sugar industry has continued to deliver jobs and economic activity in our regions."
Mr Pietsch also acknowledged the engagement of the Department of State Development which was critical to securing the Queensland Government's support.
Mr Pietsch said the funding will help secure 110 jobs in harvesting and field haulage operations and cane transportation otherwise at risk if cane cannot be transported to Isis Mill.
It will also support 681 direct and indirect jobs at Isis Central Mill and $99.2 million in economic activity.
Forty new ongoing seasonal jobs will be created in the operation of the Isis Central Mill and 44 jobs in the construction of the transloader facility.
It will also mean 8027 megawatt hours of additional renewable electricity generated from the Isis Central Sugar Mill.
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