The Rockhampton region’s agriculture industry has seen 12 months of strong wins with new investment, diversified operations and funding for additional planning to improve water infrastructure.
Rockhampton Regional Council through its economic development arm Advance Rockhampton, used its annual Grow Rockhampton – Agricultural Leaders Lunch to highlight the significant progress made in attracting and supporting agricultural ventures across the region and the work Council is doing with businesses and groups in the agriculture sector to support growth across the industry.
Council through Advance Rockhampton has been a key driver and catalyst for a number of critical projects and wins over the past 12 months including:
– Securing $850,000 to progress the South Yaamba Irrigation Project with a new business case and planning
– Securing additional funding to deliver 19 Irrigation Farm Plans to help local farmers meet reef water quality requirements and improve efficiency and farm practices
– Progressing the $1.2 million Making Water Work program with two key projects now completed and the remaining soon to be finalised
– Continued support and assistance through Advance Rockhampton to major agricultural investments such as Mort and Co’s 36,5000 head Feedlot and Fertiliser Facility development and Rural Funds Management’s Riverton Macadamia Orchard operations through Advance Rockhampton’s Business Facilitation program
– Continuation of Advance Rockhampton’s Investment Attraction Program providing facilitated briefings, site visits and tailored advice to agricultural, transport and logistics businesses seeking to establish themselves in the Rockhampton Region
Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Tony Williams, said the past 12 months had seen some excellent wins across the agriculture sector with the Council partnering with local and national businesses and groups to progress the Fitzroy Food Bowl.
“The Fitzroy Food Bowl is the largest and most secure water source on the eastern seaboard, and we want to see that grow and thrive,” Cr Williams said.
“That’s what has underpinned our last 12 months of effort – working through Advance Rockhampton and across Council to see new funding secured, new investment and the completion of a number of key projects.
“I can happily report that we have seen 12 months of big wins in the agriculture sector and expect even bigger things to come.
“So whether you’re a local landholder wanting to expand or diversify, or an investor wanting a secure water supply for a horticultural, cropping or livestock, my message is there is no better place than the Rockhampton Region.”
As a demonstration of agricultural confidence in the region, Mort and Co provided an update on its feedlot and fertiliser facility development during the lunch held on Thursday, 24 October.
The proposed facility will create more than 500 direct and indirect jobs during construction, support over 100 operational jobs and inject $138.1 million into the Rockhampton Region’s economy.
Mort and Co chief executive officer, Stephen O’Brien, praised Advance Rockhampton as a long-term partner of the feedlot and fertiliser facility development.
“Since we announced our plans to establish the Gogango feedlot and fertiliser facility around 18 months ago Council, through Advance Rockhampton, has been with us every step of the way,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The proposed development site at Gogango was perfect for our plans to build on a greenfield site to expand the company’s operations in Australia.
“The area had everything we required. Secure water supply, excellent transport connectivity, access to some of the country’s best cattle producers on the doorstep and a proactive economic development team in Advance Rockhampton.”
Advance Rockhampton Economic Development Manager, Wade Clark, said Rockhampton’s agricultural industry continues to diversify.
“Developing new agricultural sectors is a long game, but it’s clear that Advance Rockhampton has made significant inroads over the last 12 months,” Mr Clark said.
“We pride ourselves on the fact that Advance Rockhampton supports the agricultural industry in its entirety, we support the farmer on the land through to the heavyweights of agriculture such as Mort and Co.”
The Grow Rockhampton – Agricultural Leaders Lunch was attended by around 200 people and has been held annually since 2022.
This year’s event included presentations from Advance Rockhampton, Mort and Co, CQUniversity and the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA).
