LLEW O’BRIEN SECURES MARYBOROUGH SUGAR INDUSTRY’S FUTURE

5/4/2019

LLEW O’BRIEN SECURES MARYBOROUGH SUGAR INDUSTRY’S FUTURE

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today announced $18 million to fund the construction of an off-stream water storage project at Glendorf near Maryborough.

“The 6,000 mega litre off-stream water storage project is absolutely essential to the survival of Maryborough’s sugar industry and this really is a watershed moment in the history of cane farming in Maryborough,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“You can’t grow sugar without water, and without a secure water supply cane farmers, their employees and contractors, and the jobs of everyone employed at Maryborough’s iconic Maryborough sugar mill were all at risk.
 
“Sugar is a key driver of Maryborough’s economy and provides employment for 600 people.Farmers, planters, harvesters, transporters, and MSF Sugar employees all rely on a viable cane crop and this project secures that crop and secures these jobs.”
 
Mr O’Brien said MSF Sugar generates $45 million of economic activity annually within Wide Bay.
 
“It’s impossible to think of Maryborough without a sugar cane industry but I fear that’s the future we were facing without this funding,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“MSF Sugar has made its operations as lean and efficient as possible to sustain Maryborough’s sugar industry, but in spite of their great efforts, the time to make some very tough decisions was fast approaching.
 
“I’ve been meeting with representatives from MSF Sugar and Canegrowers Maryborough for some time to work on proposals to achieve a reliable source of water for local cane farmers.We can all be pleased with this outcome that will support this vital Maryborough industry into the future,” Mr O’Brien said
 
Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack joined Mr O’Brien at the Maryborough sugar mill for the announcement.
 
“This project has been talked about by others, but the Liberal and Nationals’ Government is delivering it,” Mr McCormack said.
 
“The funding is available, it’s in the Budget, and I’m keen to see the economic benefits it will generate for cane farmers, MSF Sugar and Maryborough’s community.
 
“It’s just another part of our plan to make regional communities even better places to live, work and raise a family – and this is exactly what this project does.”

 

ENDS