Enduring Practicality Is Our Hallmark

Sugarcane growing and milling remains a critical part of the community and regional economy.   Photo credit: George Chambers.

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By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

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The recent cyber-attack on Mackay Sugar was a serious and unexpected disruption to one of our region’s most important industries. For over two weeks, the incident affected milling operations, cane supply and payment systems, and the normal rhythm of the crushing season.  

The wider community should understand both the seriousness of what occurred and the strength of the response. This was not simply a computer problem. Modern sugar milling depends on coordinated systems linking harvesting, cane transport, rail movements, factory operations, grower records and workplace safety. When those systems are interrupted, the impact is felt quickly across the whole supply chain.

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Mackay Sugar acted responsibly by stopping operations where necessary, engaging specialist cyber security experts and working with authorities to restore systems safely. That decision was frustrating for everyone, but safety and system integrity had to come first. Cane that is cut must be crushed quickly to preserve sugar content, so growers were rightly concerned about delays. At the same time, it would have been worse to rush back before the mills and logistics systems were ready.

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There has been understandable pressure on families and businesses. Cane farming is seasonal, weather-dependent and capital-intensive. Growers invest all year to produce a crop, and the crushing season is when that work must be converted into income. Harvesting groups, contractors, machinery operators and mill employees were also affected. In a district like Mackay, when sugar slows down, the whole community feels it.

It is important to put this event in perspective. The Mackay sugar industry has faced floods, droughts, cyclones, low prices, labour shortages and mechanical breakdowns over many generations. Each time, growers, mill workers and the broader community have found a way forward. This incident has been different in nature, but the same qualities are required: patience, clear communication, cooperation and determination.

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Throughout the disruption, CANEGROWERS Mackay has worked to keep members informed, raised grower concerns and maintained a constructive relationship with Mackay Sugar. Our priority has been to ensure that growers receive timely information, that decisions are practical on farm, and that the restart of crushing is managed in a way that protects both the crop and the long-term interests of the industry.

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The positive message for the public is that the industry has not stood still. Manual processes were used where appropriate, recovery work continued around the clock, and a staged return to operations has been pursued carefully. Farmers are practical people. They understand that problems happen, but they also expect solutions. The focus now is on getting cane moving again, crushing safely and making the best of the season ahead.

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This incident reminds us that agriculture is now part of Australia’s critical digital infrastructure. Food and fibre production relies on technology just as much as banking, health, transport and energy. Protecting those systems requires investment, planning, testing and strong partnerships between industry, government and cyber security specialists.  

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Mackay has an opportunity to learn from this event and become stronger because of it.

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It is important to acknowledge the patience of growers and the efforts of mill staff, harvesting crews, contractors and local businesses who have had to adapt quickly. No one welcomes a disruption like this, but the response has shown the value of a connected regional community that asksquestions, shares information, helps neighbours and remains focused on recovery.

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Mackay’s cane farmers are resilient, but resilience should not be mistaken for complacency. We will continue to advocate for better preparedness, clearer communication and stronger protections for the systems that support our industry. Sugar remains a cornerstone of the Mackay economy, and its future is worth defending.

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The past three weeks have been difficult, but it has also shown what this district does best. We face problems directly, we work together, and we keep moving forward. With continued cooperation between growers, Mackay Sugar and the wider community, the industry can recover from this disruption and continue to deliver for our region.

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