The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Leanne Donaldson MP, will be in Bundaberg tomorrow (Friday 6 May) where she will meet representatives of the Bundaberg and Queensland macadamia industry, and Australian Macadamia Society CEO Jolyon Burnett.
The Minister will tour the Pacific Gold Macadamias processing plant with Mr. Burnett, Sandra Lindstrom (AMS Board member and Gympie macadamia grower) and Shane Johnson, General Manager of Pacific Gold Macadamias.
After the tour, Minister Donaldson will talk to local macadamia growers in an informal ‘meet-and-greet’.
The visit will be a chance for Minister Donaldson to learn more about Australia’s precious native nut, our world-leading Australian macadamia industry, and the burgeoning Bundaberg macadamia industry (which is tipped to become the largest macadamia producing region of Australia in the next few years). Mr. Burnett will brief Minister Donaldson on the state of the industry, the positive economic impact on local communities in which the industry operates, as well as the challenges, opportunities and vision for the future.
Bundaberg is a relatively new growing region for macadamias, with the majority of planting starting around 2003 and extending through to the present day. It is now the largest crop by area in the region, and the second largest macadamia producing region in Australia (producing more than 30% of Australia’s macadamias). Bundaberg is also the fastest growing region for macadamia production and at the current rate of production, is set to be the main producing region by 2018.
Details
The tour at Pacific Gold Macadamias (170 Rosedale Road, Bundaberg) on Friday 6 May will begin at 8am and conclude at 9:30am.
Media wishing to attend should notify AMS Communications Manager Nyree Epplett TODAY (phone 0434 261 070).
For more information:
Nyree Epplett
Australian Macadamia Society
Tel: 1800 262 426 | +61 2 6622 4933
Mob: 0434 261 070
Fax: +61 2 6622 4932