By Amanda Wright

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A dazzling display of cultural heritage, vibrant colours, and heartfelt friendship lit up Mackay on Saturday as the Malayalee community came together to celebrate the joyous festival of Onam, a cornerstone of tradition and unity.
The celebration was held at the Northern Beaches Community Centre in Bucasia on Saturday, 21st September 2024, marking one of the most significant cultural events for the Indian community in the region. This annual event, which brought together over 300 people throughout Mackay, celebrated the rich traditions of Kerala, with the atmosphere buzzing with joy, unity, and inclusivity.

Local children showcase their strength and enthusiasm during thetraditional tug of war, one of the many lively activities that markedthe Onam celebration hosted by the Mackay Malayalee Association.Photo credit: Amanda Wright

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Tug Of War, Feasts, And Friendship

The Onam feast, hosted by the Mackay Malayalee Association, was filled with traditional performances, dances, and the much-anticipated tug-of-war games, bringing together people of all ages in the spirit of friendly competition. The event concluded with a hearty vegetarian meal, honouring the spirit of Onam by serving traditional Kerala dishes to the large gathering. Mayor Greg Williamson, an honoured guest, stayed for the feast, watching the performances and joining the community in the celebrations.
Mayor Williamson highlighted the significance of multiculturalism in Mackay and praised the Malayalee community for their contribution to the region.
“This celebration is not just about tradition; it’s about the joy that this gathering brings to your community, and therefore, to our community,” Mayor Williamson said.
“In Mackay, we are proud to be a truly multicultural region. Over the past 11 years, we’ve welcomed new citizens from 102 different countries, and that diversity is what makes our community so strong.
“It’s essential for young people to understand where they came from, to know their roots, and to still be part of the community in which they now live. Celebrations like these are a testament to how individual cultures can flourish within the broader Australian society,” he added.
“The only way we can solve the challenges we face is by working together as one community, celebrating our diversity and teaching the next generation about the importance of mutual respect.”
Onam, a festival deeply rooted in Kerala’s mythology and agricultural traditions, celebrates the homecoming of King Mahabali and the bountiful harvest of the year.
The legend tells the story of King Mahabali, a mighty ruler of Kerala, who was so loved by his people that even the gods became envious of his popularity and prosperity. According to mythology, Lord Vishnu, in his dwarf avatar Vamana, visited Mahabali and requested three feet of land as alms. In his enormous form, Vamana covered the earth and the heavens in two steps, leaving no room for the third. Mahabali, in his selflessness, offered his own head for the final step, after which he was sent to the netherworld. However, in recognition of his righteousness, Mahabali was granted permission to visit his people once every year, and it is this homecoming that Keralites celebrate with great devotion during Onam.
Alongside its mythological roots, Onam is also a celebration of Kerala’s rich agricultural traditions. It is a time of thanksgiving for the bounty of the harvest, symbolising prosperity, unity, and communal harmony. The festival is known for its grand feasts, known as Onasadya, floral decorations (Pookalam), traditional games (Vallamkali and tug-of-war), dances, and performances, bringing people together in a vibrant display of Kerala’s cultural and agricultural heritage.

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The vibrant Onam celebration in Mackay brought together families and friends for a day filled with colourful performances, traditional games, and a feast that fed over 300 people, reflecting the community's deep cultural pride and unity. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

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I've learned a few things during my chemotherapy journey, one of the biggest being the importance of fully resting and pacing myself. Every three weeks, I head to the hospital for an infusion, and while I feel okay on days two and three, I've realised those are the moments to slow down, not push through. If I overdo it, days four to seven—the hardest—become even more brutal. So instead, I embrace rest during those early days and make the most of the good week that follows on week three, when I get a break from the oral chemo tablets and my body starts to rebuild.
Last week was one of those good weeks, and for the first time since my son Brydon was born a year and a half ago, I had an adult night out! My husband and I were treated to stage-front seats at Scandalous, a saucy circus cabaret, complete with a cheese platter and wine. It was such a fun night—big shoutout to my friend Claire Luff for babysitting! The performance is still showing tonight and Saturday, if you haven’t checked this new show out, I highly recommend the experience.
The weekend continued with an invitation to the Malayalee Association of Mackay's Onam festival. The vibrant celebration was rich in cultural heritage, bursting with colour, dance, and delicious food. I was honoured to join the celebration. Later that evening, I attended the Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Beautiful – Broken Ballerina Ball, supporting vital work for those fleeing domestic violence. Adorned in pink with a glittering chandelier and fairy lights, the Mackay Turf Club sparkled for this important cause.
You can read my stories on Scandalous on page 26, Onam on the cover and page 10, and Hannah McNamara’s Broken Ballerina story on pages 22-23.
For now, I'm resting as chemo treatment number five was yesterday. My takeaway to anyone who may face cancer now or in the future, is that there’s a difference between living with cancer, and living with cancer.
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Amanda

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Motherhood is often a journey filled with immense love, strength, and at times, overwhelming challenges.

One mother faced this reality when she was recently flown from Mackay to Townsville with her newborn baby, who required surgery. Struggling with the burden of traveling alone with her baby and handling luggage, she encountered an unexpected act of kindness from a stranger.

Expressing her gratitude in a local mother's group on Facebook, she wrote, “If anyone’s husband was on the 11:30am flight from Mackay to Townsville today (Tuesday 24th September) and mentions helping a woman and her newborn baby with her bags, please reach out as my hubby would love to shout him a carton!

“Mackay Hospital put baby and I on a flight to Townsville hospital so he could have surgery and sadly hubby had to drive.

“I was struggling with the baby and luggage, and he (the kind man) very respectfully helped with my bags.

“I’m a jumble of emotions and didn’t think to ask for his name to show our appreciation.

“A small gesture of kindness made such a stressful situation that little bit easier!” she shared, emphasising how even the simplest act can have a meaningful impact.

Despite the emotional toll of the situation, this mother felt uplifted by the stranger's thoughtful gesture. Now, her husband hopes to find the Good Samaritan, offering to thank him with a carton of beer in appreciation for his kindness.

How can you offer a helping hand today?

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Illustrative purposes only

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A recently opened dedicated space within Mackay Base Hospital is helping people going through difficult times in their lives to avoid the Emergency Department when seeking help.

The new Crisis Support Service (CSS) facility, called Safe Harbour, is located adjacent to the Emergency Department and complements existing crisis services in the Mackay community.

Mackay HHS chief executive Susan Gannon said the facility represented the service’s commitment to improving the care and outcomes for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

‘‘Often people who are experiencing crisis after hours are admitted to an Emergency Department (ED) and we know a busy clinical space can be incredibly overwhelming for someone who is in distress,’’ Susan said.

‘‘This new model of care allows our peer workers to meet a person who has presented to the ED for help, have them discharged and take them to Safe Harbour to develop a support plan through a conversation and often, a cuppa.

‘’Ideally, we hope this space will reduce crisis presentations to our incredibly busy ED.’’

Safe Harbour is for individuals aged 16 years old and over who do not require medical treatment but who may have otherwise presented to the emergency department when they are experiencing psychological distress or a mental health
crisis.

Safe Harbour is a non-clinical partnership with Mind Australia, providing people seeking face-to-face mental health support with a peer-led, therapeutic environment. Access to the Safe Harbour is voluntary and can be utilised via the emergency department (to enable triage first); by referral from the Mackay HHS community mental health services, co-responder, MH Call or other community providers; or by presenting directly to the Crisis Support Space (CSS).

Mackay HHS Team Leader Acute Care Services Christian Strang said the service had been co-designed with people with lived experience of emotional distress and crisis to ensure the space would meet the needs of the people visiting.

"Through this process, we identified peer workers with lived experience of emotional distress and crisis were best placed to lead the care of each person in conjunction with a senior mental health clinician,’’ Christian said.

‘‘Delivering new models of care like this not only takes pressure off our high-intake areas like ED but they also deliver best-practice care to people when and where they need it most,’’ he said.

“Safe Harbour is an excellent example of care being delivered with the needs of our patients and clients being placed at the forefront of design and planning.’’

Safe Harbour is one of twelve crisis support spaces now operating near or nearby a Queensland Health emergency department.

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Visitors to Safe Harbour are welcomed with a cup of tea and a supportive conversation, fostering a non-clinical, peer-led environment. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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Opinion Piece

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, is calling on the Queensland Labor Government to be open and honest with Queensland commercial and recreational fishers about their future plans for the fishing industry.  

“For the last two years, this Labor Government has treated our Queensland fishers with contempt bringing in changes with little consultation or transparency around their decision-making process and with little concern as to the implications on the future of the fishing and seafood industry in Queensland,” Ms Camm stated.

The MP said that Mackay and Whitsunday fishermen have declared that the temporary Government issued NX licenses inoperable and require urgent review.

“The LNP candidate for Mackay, Nigel Dalton and I have sat around the table from our local fishers, many of whom who have already been impacted financially and are concerned about their future viability and the future viability of the industry.  

“I’ve met with stakeholders, I’ve written to the Minister, I’ve asked Questions in Parliament and still the Government refuses to consult and listen and be transparent with our community”.  

Representatives from the Tourism Industry have also raised concerns about the implementation and inconsistency of the regulations.

Mr Dalton stated that, “The onboard vessel monitoring regulations means that currently fishers are being filmed going to the bathroom in the boat, effectively in their workplace, in front of their colleagues, which has to be considered a huge breach of privacy.”

Ms Camm stated that the industry is struggling as a result of these changes with 90 per cent of fresh fish sold in our region now imported from interstate.

“There are not enough licensed providers in our region to catch fresh fish. Local businesses are expected to either absorb the interstate freight costs or pass them onto the consumer. In a cost-of-living crisis, these increased costs cannot be sustained,” Ms Camm stated.  

Ms Camm and Mr Dalton are calling on the Queensland Government to be honest about the further restrictions and regulations they are proposing to introduce on our commercial and recreational fishers.  

“The Queensland Government needs to advise fishers and all seafood-loving Queenslanders if the fishing industry has a long-term future under a Labor Government.

Regional Queenslanders and our fishing community deserve better”, Ms Camm stated.

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Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm, LNP Candidate for Mackay Nigel Dalton listening with local fishers David Caracciolo, Paul Vickers and Deb Ahern. Photo supplied

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Two of Mackay’s leading economic drivers have formed a powerful partnership aimed at solidifying the region as a premier international sporting destination, ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Mackay Airport and Harrup Park are entering a strategic three-year agreement, which will simultaneously bolster major sporting opportunities while growing visitation and the regional economy.

Mackay Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said partnering with Harrup Park was a valuable investment in the broader success of the Mackay region.

“Working together, we can continue to enhance the profile of this thriving, quality venue and ensure it’s at the top of the list for sporting teams when they choose locations for competitions or extended training periods,” he said.

“Major events, like those held at Harrup Park’s Great Barrier Reef Arena, draw more visitors to our region, contributing to higher demand for flights, accommodation, and other tourism-related services, benefiting our airport and the local economy.

“Drawing a new market of visitors here also helps to grow our region’s profile and enhances awareness of all the unique experiences on offer here.”

The new partnership is aimed at supporting each organisation’s strategic growth through advocacy, stakeholder engagement and various promotional activities. It comes at an ideal and critical juncture as scheduling and infrastructure decisions ramp up ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Concurrently, plans are underway for a major infrastructure development at Great Barrier Reef Arena, which would include new multi-purpose training and competition facilities for international and Australian athletes, while also providing a base for growing, grassroots clubs.

Harrup Park Chief Executive Officer Adrian Young said support from like-minded organisations like Mackay Airport was crucial to driving successful outcomes for the venue and wider community.

“Mackay Airport is the gateway to our region.

“Its three-year commitment at this important period of growth will further enable us to seize major opportunities, which will pay dividends for our region into the future,” he said.

“The international T20 matches last week are a prime example of the calibre of competitions we can entice here for regular fixtures and elite training, particularly with the Olympics now firmly on the horizon.

“Working with Mackay Airport, we can further position ourselves as a seamless and attractive destination for national and international teams, while also promoting the many reasons to stay longer in the region or return for holidays.”

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Harrup Park Chief Executive Officer Adrian Young with Mackay Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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As part of works to upgrade the sewer rising main at Hamilton, Graves and Ungerer streets in North Mackay, Mackay Regional Council will be constructing a new sewer manhole in Ungerer Street.
The new manhole will allow for connection of the new rising main to the existing network.
The works began earlier this week on Monday, September 23, and will take place between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, for no more than two weeks, weather permitting. Some weekend work may be required.
During this time, a section of Ungerer Street between Grendon and Graves streets will be closed to through traffic.
Only residents living in this section of Ungerer Street will be able to access their properties during the road closure.
Other vehicles will not be able to travel through the area of works and will need to enter the local access zones either via the Graves Street intersection or from Grendon Street, depending on the location of their residence.
Detours will be in place and motorists are asked to follow all traffic signage.
Council apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates your patience during these essential works.
For enquiries, please contact council on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

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A new team has been established to rapidly respond and help people across Mackay experiencing homelessness.

The Critical Response Team will work with the local homelessness network to regularly visit known areas where people are experiencing homelessness and offer rapid support to help them find accommodation.

In just a couple of weeks, the team has already engaged with more than 15 people to help them find a safe place to stay and work with them on longer-term housing options.

It’s part of the state government’s new long-term housing plan – Homes for Queenslanders – which also included a 20 per cent uplift in funding for homelessness services.

The team is based on the success of Brisbane’s inner-city Critical Response Team which was established last year and has helped more than 800 people find safe accommodation.

Labor Candidate for Mackay, Belinda Hassan, said that housing and supporting vulnerable people in Mackay is a top priority. By advocating to have 27 modular units delivered to the Mackay region on top of the social units already under construction on Palmer Street, a tangible difference has already been actioned to support those looking for homes. Addressing the homelessness crisis, Ms Hassan said that the Critical Response Team is already making a difference to those sleeping rough.

“It’s the Miles Government that has been doing what matters for our region – providing cost of living support, building more homes and supporting those sleeping rough,” Ms Hassan said.

“We just announced new modular homes for Mackay, and this new team will play an important role in reaching out to people and helping them find a safe place to stay.

“It adds to record funding to tackle homelessness through our Homes for Queenslanders plan, including a 20 per cent increase for our hardworking homelessness organisations.

“This is all at risk however, under the LNP who cut social housing when in Government and just last year voted against investment in 30,000 social and affordable homes.”

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said that the Homes for Queenslanders plan isn’t just building one million homes – it’s also providing critical funding towards ending homelessness.

“The new team will be out in their van every day offering people a safe place to stay, wraparound support and longer-term housing,” Minister Scanlon said.

“The LNP  have spent months railing against homeownership for thousands of Queenslanders – now it’s clear why, because the first thing they want to do is take an axe to them.

“We’ll get on with the job of helping those sleeping rough and building more homes.”

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Labor candidate for Mackay Belinda Hassan with members of the Critical Response Team in with the mobile housing unit, ready to provide rapid support and safe housing solutions for those in need. Photos supplied

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Mackay Regional Council staff began scheduled maintenance of palm trees in the Mackay City Centre this week.
The maintenance started on Tuesday, September 24, in Wood Street and will include removing dead fronds, cutting away visible fruit stalks and removing seed pods.
Arborists will be on site between the hours of 5am and 9am on weekdays and they will be carrying out maintenance on trees located on Wood, Victoria, Sydney, Macalister and Nelson streets, and Matsuura Drive and Mangrove Road.
Work on Sydney Street has been scheduled for Saturday, September 28, to minimise disruption to the public and to avoid the heavy traffic on this road during the week.
The maintenance is expected to be completed by Thursday, October 3, weather permitting.
Full traffic control will be in place and some road/lane closures will be required during the work.
Residents are asked to obey all instructions from council staff and traffic control officers.
The work is part of council’s annual maintenance program.
For further information call 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

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Construction is set to roll for three Sleepbuses for the Mackay region.
Lisa Jamieson, of Safe Sleep Mackay, said there had been some delays with construction, and getting the buses ahead of us in the construction queue into service.
But she said the not-for-profit organisation sleepbus®, based in Melbourne, had shared their construction program, with delivery of the buses scheduled for 2025.
“Safe Sleep Mackay is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the first Sleepbus into Mackay,” she said.

“We are excited to witness its positive impact on the lives of numerous individuals experiencing homelessness in our region.”
A total of three Sleepbuses will be supplied to the Mackay region.
One will be for Mackay and one in Sarina. Another will be a Pink Sleepbus, with all female volunteers, to be available in Mackay.
Able to house up to 20 people, each Sleepbus has dual sleep pods with safe and dry storage for personal belongings, air-conditioning, and TV screens with a channel displaying support service contact details.

“sleepbus® will retain ownership of the buses and responsibility for ongoing operations, such as maintenance, volunteer coordination and service delivery requirements,” she said.
“But the successful operation of the Sleepbus service relies on a dedicated pool of volunteers, who assist with various tasks. Anyone interested in volunteering Mackay or Sarina can register their interest on the sleepbus.org website.
Each Sleepbus costs $100,000 to launch. Safe Sleep Mackay, with support across the Mackay region from corporate and private donations, has funded three Sleepbuses.

“We are so appreciative of the generosity of Mackay people and their willingness to help make life a little easier and safer for those sleeping rough in the Mackay region,’’ Mrs Jamieson said.
“We wanted to provide this update to once again thank those who have donated, let them know about the delays, and when we’ll see this much-needed service in our region.”

An update for Safe Sleep Mackay’s Platinum donors was held last week.

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Marcus Pillhofer, Mackay Community Foundation; Antoinette du Toit, Safe Sleep Mackay; Graham Towsend, Freemasons Mackay; Cr Alison Jones, Safe Sleep Mackay; Julianne Gilbert, Member for Mackay, Lisa Jamiesen, Safe Sleep Mackay; and Diane Smith, Safe Sleep Mackay. Photo supplied

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We are excited to announce that the local Mackay community is putting hands into pockets to pay for this essential addition to our Brigade.

We all know that First To The Fire has the best chance of extinguishing it quickly - saving fences, paddocks, stock, cane, homes and lives. We have our state allocation of two larger fire trucks but we are often hampered - especially during the weekdays with no truck driver!

Habana Rural Fire Brigade (RBF) has been planning and saving to add a lighter, Quick Response vehicle which does not require a truck licence. So, the first firefighter to the shed can be in this truck and on the way.

With 600 litres of water on board...that firefighter may be able to extinguish the fire before it gets a bigger hold, or the firefighter can quickly assess the situation and radio for one or more trucks to assist.

Remember rural firefighters are all volunteers, and we are all first responders... that means we drop what we're doing, get to the fire shed and into the trucks.

ABOUT THE QUICK RESPONSE FIRETRUCK

Having purchased a Landcruiser cab chassis last year from our savings account - it's now painted yellow and fitted with a bull bar. The truck is in Brisbane to have the full fire truck build and fitout to the specifications of the Rural Fire Service Qld.

This is a Brigade initiative to introduce a quick response fire truck for fast turnout and will be paid for by the Brigade.

We are moving forward and seeking donations wherever we can and the community is welcomed to help too.

The cost of the Light Attack Fire truck build and fitout is $116,000.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation towards this Quick Response Fire truck - you can safely do so here through our Rural Fire Brigade Association of Qld: www.rfbaq.org/donate-to-a-brigade

For further inquiries, or if you wish to join the Brigade as a volunteer…please call David Stewart 0411 078 648 or Peter Attard 0432 388 330

Help to keep us all safe and to be First To The Fire!

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Contributed By Habana Rural Fire Brigade

A Landcruiser cab chassis has been purchased and is currently undergoing a fire truck build and fitout
Habana Rural Fire Brigade crew. Photos supplied

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This week
Season to date
Cane crushed
56,156
604,380
Average bin weight
3.94
3.88
CCS
14.62
13.63
Cane variety performance for region
Variety
%
CCS
Variety
%
CCS
Q183
26.4
14.99
Q253
14.1
14.56
Q240
9.9
15.03
SP80
2.4
14.08
Q208
19.4
14.58
SRA9
10.8
14.42
KQ228
3.2
14.68
Q242
2.2
12.95
Comments:
Plane Creek Mill processed just over 56,000 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season total to just over 600,000 tonnes.
Average CCS rose by 0.2 of a unit over the previous week, closing out at 14.62 units. The year-to-date average is now sitting at 13.63 units.
Standover cane made up 6.5 per cent of the week’s cane supply.
The highest CCS honour for the week was a rake of Q183 plant cane from the Koumala productivity area with a CCS of 17.50 units.
With school holidays still under way, parents and guardians are once again reminded to warn their children of the dangers of playing near cane railway lines.
Families and visitors who are doing road trips over the school holidays are reminded to use their train brain and always give way to cane trains.
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Lindsay Wheeler
Cane Supply Manager
Plane Creek Region

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Are you natural disaster ready?

Queensland primary producers are being urged to prepare now ahead of the natural disaster season to help ensure the safety of their farms and reduce damage to crops and livestock. 

There is an expected increased risk of fire for large areas of Queensland following last summer’s rain, great pasture growth and a drier winter.

Understanding which natural disasters or severe weather events are likely to occur in your area will help you prepare for events that are most likely to impact your business.

Northern Queensland has also experienced unseasonal rainfall leading to increased fuel loads and fire authorities have warned of increased fire danger as temperatures increase during spring.

It's important to ensure you have adequate insurance and a solid financial plan in place. That’s why the Queensland Government has information and resources available to help producers ‘get ready’.

Take photographs of your assets in their pre-disaster condition for reference. Make sure that everyone on the property is familiar with the evacuation plan in case of a flood, bushfire, or cyclone.

Additionally, ensure that livestock have access to higher ground or can be moved to safer areas with access to food and water. Keep emergency phone numbers handy for your local council, veterinarian and animal welfare agency and make sure your livestock can be properly identified in the event of a natural disaster.

To manage a disaster, remember to prevent, prepare, respond, recover and communicate.

For more information on flood and cyclone preparations, such as local evacuation routes and public shelter arrangements, please phone your local council.

Information on disasters for small business, including primary producers, is available at business.qld.gov.au/disaster-hub.

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Primary producers are encouraged to ‘get ready’ for natural disaster season

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Simon Hood
Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing

By nominating Wilmar as your GEI marketer for the 2025 season, you are choosing to work with a leading global sugar trader. This gives you direct exposure to insights into the world sugar trade backed by in-depth analysis of international supply and demand fundamentals that ultimately determine price outcomes.

For growers who use Call and Target pricing, access to this research and analysis is a comparative advantage when making pricing decisions for forward crops. This is backed up by an experienced and educated Grower Marketing team who can assist you with understanding the nuances of price determinants.

A highlight of the marketing year is the presentation from our global sugar traders, Peter Bingham and Neil Foo, who always draw a large crowd to their events.

For growers who prefer to price their GEI exposure through the pooling mechanisms, Wilmar provides a couple of options. The most popular is the Production Risk Pool which allows growers to commit some, or all, of their GEI tonnes without the concern of washouts if they can’t deliver due to unforeseen circumstances.

For the past three years, our Production Risk Pool has returned excellent results, outperforming the QSL Harvest Pool by an average of $38.74/t IPS. The 2024 season is shaping up the same way with the current forecasted price of approximately $30/t IPS ahead of QSL’s Harvest Pool.

We also offer a Managed Pool, enabling growers to participate in the same pool Wilmar uses to market the GEI exposure from its own farms’ production.

Another popular tool used by growers who market with us is the Pre-Season Payment. This facility allows growers to receive a pre-payment of the 2025 crush proceeds from mid-January 2025. The standard advance is $5/t of nominated cane tonnes. So, from 10 January 2025, a 20,000-tonne grower can nominate to receive the payment by checking a box on GrowerWeb and, 10 days later, $100,000 is deposited in their bank account. Interest is currently advised at 6.00% but will be reviewed on December 1, 2024.

The facility is repaid as your 2025 season crush income is generated.

Remember you have a choice of marketers, or you can split your nomination. You are not locked into your current marketer until after 31 October each year.

To find out more, please contact a member of our Grower Marketing team.

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Wilmar’s Production Risk Pool has outperformed QSL’s Harvest Pool for three consecutive seasons

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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay
There is a rule of thumb that by Father’s Day, the crop should be 50 per cent crushed, but this year we saw that day come and go with about 65 to 75 per cent of the crop still sitting in paddocks across the district.
If you are in the Mackay Sugar milling area, abysmal performance at Marian mill has left growers up the Pioneer Valley far behind in removing their crop, with attempts to restore equity by increasing Marian cane through Farleigh and Racecourse. While some of those growers are far behind others, overall the miller is 10-15 per cent behind, with the miller and harvest sector is working hard to catch up. The CANEGROWERS Mackay Area Committee has been likewise working hard to address equity and grower cash-flow concerns with Mackay Sugar and sugar marketers. It was good to see Mackay Sugar management and grower directors come to engage on this issue with a large number of growers attending the CANEGROWERS Marian branch meeting last week.
While it was positive mid-September to finally see a resolution to the protracted industrial dispute between unions and Wilmar Management over their Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, it was unfortunate that we have seen industrial unrest across all Wilmar Mills including Plane Creek impacting the first three months of the 2024 crush
The long-winded dispute has impacted crushing to the extent that the huge losses to the industry will never be recovered. Wilmar operate eight of the 21 Australian mills, alongside other refining and distillery operations. It is a massive chunk of the Australian Sugar industry.
As severely impacted as growers have been, they, along with the supply chain including the harvest sector, are a third party to the dispute. CANEGROWERS was vocal in the community and media, but it was difficult to make representation beyond Statements of Impact to the Fair Work Commissioner, given the dispute was only between the two parties.
This meant that apart from attempting to convince the parties to get on with a resolution – including via an online petition, from the outside there was not much that could be done to help resolve the issue, and exacerbated growers’ frustration. It has bought to an end a period of great uncertainty, anxiety and delays.
Hopefully now with this behind us, the Central District will now be able to get on and finalise the crush without further disruption. Weather and mill performance permitting. Thankfully, sugar content (CCS) is holding at present, so there is an opportunity yet to make good on the 2024 season and current good prices.
On that note, I commend sugar marketer Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) for taking a lead and responding to the issues with cash flows for growers across the industry by increasing its Standard Advance Rate Default Payment in September by $17. It is that kind of industry responsiveness that will help the grower and harvest sector manage through a challenging year. CANEGROWERS Mackay, along with other sugarcane production district areas, was vocal in articulating the difficulties growers have faced, and we thank QSL for listening.
The delays of the season mean that most likely we will be harvesting into the Christmas season again, well past the mid-November finish that is best for best farming practice and for sugar make. Although Mackay Sugar is touting an 18 December finish, but this is down to the line of the Heavy Vehicle Christmas Curfew that commences on 19 December through to 2 January. Wilmar looks set to proceed past Christmas should weather hold.
Once again, CANEGROWERS is liaising with the appropriate authorities in an attempt to get exemptions put in place for the Christmas period, just in the case we need them, and will likewise work with members and their contractors to assist them to secure their permits.

Photo credit: Kirili Lamb

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