The Queensland Government says its state budget has included a number of initiatives to help the horticulture sector create jobs and economic opportunities.
Minister for Rural Economic Development Bill Byrne says a targeted $5.2 million Rural Economic Development package is the centrepiece of a renewed drive to maximise investment, growth and support of rural communities.
“The package will see specialised assistance for fruit and vegetable growers to capture new export opportunities, the establishment of a Rural Economies Centre of Excellence and a One-Stop Service to help private sector investors navigate various approval and development processes more quickly in North Queensland,” the Minister said. “Through this portfolio and these Budget initiatives the Government is committed to working more closely with and assisting rural communities to grow economic opportunities, improve the competitiveness of rural businesses and increase the number of rural jobs.”
Key features include providing $1.3 million over two years to provide targeted help for growers to find and expand export markets. Queensland is Australia’s largest producer of vegetables and second largest producer of fruit and nuts. Recent Free Trade Agreements with China, Japan and South Korea provide enormous potential to expand our horticultural exports.
The new program will focus on improving international competitiveness and profitability bringing together research, supply chain and export development expertise from across government. Grants of up to $75,000 will be available to help producers better understand and exploit overseas markets.
The government will also establish the new Rural Economics Centre of Excellence to undertake integrated research and provision of specialised programs to deliver sustainable growth of Queensland rural communities and deliver rural jobs.
Up to $3 million will be provided over three years with the aim of leveraging further funding from other organisations to identify and develop opportunities for job growth and rural economic development. Institutions, including universities, will be invited to host the Centre.
Total funding of $900 000 over three years will also help private sector initiatives speed development proposals for agricultural projects in North Queensland.
While, from 1 July the new Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA), formerly QRAA, will continue to provide specialist financial assistance programs, including loans, grants, rebates and subsidies to assist rural communities and producers.
Central to QRIDA’s work will be the delivery of the Government’s Primary Industry Productivity Enhancement Scheme (PIPES) providing First Start and Sustainability Loans.
First Start provides low interest loans up to $2 million over a maximum of 20 years to purchase or set up costs to establish a viable and sustainable farm or commercial fishing enterprise. Sustainability loans provide low interest loans of up to $1.3 million over a maximum of 20 years to assist in achieving a more productive and sustainable farm or commercial fishing enterprise.
QRIDA will also deliver Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangement (NDRAA) assistance for primary producers, small business and non-profit organisations as it has recently, following Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
Critically, an additional $3.4 million over four years will be provided to establish the new Office of Farm Debt Restructure, expand policy and research functions on farm finance matters and undertake rural debt surveys.
“These are significant commitments for rural communities and are an important enhancement of the support the Palaszczuk Government already provides for the bush,” Mr Byrne said. “We have committed to providing existing drought relief arrangements to drought affected communities, and investment in the Queensland Climate Risk and Drought Resilience program to improve farm business capacity, seasonal forecasting and decision support tools to better manage climate risk. There is also an additional of $3.9 to assist producers to target priority weeds and pest animals.”
Source: Queensland Government Press Release