General News
30 July, 2025
It’s as sweet as
SUGARCANE from Mossman farms will continue to be transported by trucks to the Mulgrave mill at Gordonvale for at least the next five years.
The deal follows Queensland Premier David Crisafulli’s visit to the town on Saturday, July 19 where he urged local farmers to continue growing sugar cane in preparation for a 2026 harvest.
Speaking directly to a gathering of growers, Mr Crisafulli said: “I want you to plant, I want you to fertilise.”
The Queensland Government previously committed nearly $6 million to support a transition away from sugar cane.
However, Mr Crisafulli has now signalled that the funding could be repurposed to strengthen the industry, with the practice of sending harvests to the Mulgrave mill – now in its second season – potentially set to become the new norm.
“That money is on the table. I do not care what it is used for, providing it saves this little town,” Mr Crisafulli said.
Also at the meeting were Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett and the Member for Cook David Kempton.
Mr Perrett said it was not a quick fix, but it provided growers with certainty well into the future, while he and his department supported all growers in the region to investigate options for the time ahead.
Mr Kempton said the proposal was for 20 purpose-built B double steerable trailers to transport the Mossman crop to the Mulgrave mill via the Captain Cook Highway.
For the last two seasons, the government has subsidised the transport of the cane to Mulgrave for milling, however, it is not sustainable in the long term.
Mr Kempton said with no viable alternative crop or repurposing of the mill emerging, it was critical that a solution be found, as this year’s harvest had begun and growers would need to prepare next year’s crop immediately.
He said Mulgrave mill was also losing cane volume, mainly to urban creep, which provided a market for Mossman cane.
“The growers and MSF Sugar have worked out an arrangement to use purpose-built trailers to continue hauling cane to Mulgrave for at least five years,” Mr Kempton said.
“This provides the critical supply for Mulgrave mill and certainty for Mossman growers.
“The state government will support this agreement by providing essential infrastructure, such as loading ramps, high-lift loaders and steerable trailers.
“This will mean more cane can be transported by fewer trucks.
“The plan will not commence until next season, when the highway will be (fully) open and after TMR have certified the trailers meet safety specifications.
“This proposal does not foreclose on any alternative crops or other options and is welcomed by growers looking to invest in their future”.
Douglas Shire Mayor Scomazzon said the premier’s comments were a significant show of support for the region’s agricultural sector.
“For the premier to eyeball the shire’s growers and urge them to continue growing sugar cane should put some minds at ease,” she said.
“Growers, with the support of Cook MP David Kempton and Douglas Shire Council, will continue to explore other options for the region’s agricultural sector but Mr Crisafulli did not hold back on his support of our sugar cane industry.
“It’s now up to our growers to explore ways in which they can make this work.
“However, the message is clear – our sugar cane remains a valuable asset, even if the Mossman mill is no more.”
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