5 Nov 2024. Michael Guerin, AgForce CEO.
A couple of powerful early opportunities have opened up for Queensland's new Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett, one of which relates to water and the proposed new National Water Plan.
Bundaberg growers put it very succinctly leading up to election day, saying a quick pause rather than an unedifying rush to approve the Federal Government's draft plan would not put anything at risk.
Rather, a pause in proceedings would allow an opportunity for input and consultation from all those with significant value to add to the development of this new agreement.
The Agriculture Industry stands ready and able to provide strong assistance to the new Queensland Minister to ensure that we can find the right balance through genuine co-design and consultation. And consequently, give renewed confidence across all critical social, environmental, biodiversity and economic elements of the plan.
AgForce has been encouraged by the new state government's early declarations around a deliberate, considered, and bold approach to the opportunities ahead for our state. What better place to start with agriculture than water - a substance critical to life itself.
The Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (or DCCEEW) claims we need to sign it now because of the urgency of issues such as climate change, population growth and water security.
But if they are genuinely driven by these goals, then why don't they bring together all those who can contribute so powerfully to the design process?
Their current unedifying rush to sign off on the agreement will only damage the very things they claim to seek to protect, and justify their seemingly deliberate attempt to keep professionals and experts out of the work.
More broadly, increasing water insecurity in ours, the largest agricultural state in Australia has been increasingly frustrating over the past few years. No planning certainly, the provocative new term of lawfare from some green groups, and a general malaise has sapped confidence from industry and communities with so much to offer Queensland and Australia.
Are we or are we not interested in renewed water infrastructure, in properly maintaining existing infrastructure, and certainty in planning processes? The list goes on.
To the new State Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett, you have an industry and communities ready to roll up their sleeves and do detailed work with you to underpin our collective futures and that of our landscapes and bio-regions.
