Townsville Enterprise and Burdekin Shire Council today hosted the inaugural North Queensland Agriculture, Production and Export Roundtable, after identifying the need for collective industry action on transforming North Queensland’s agriculture, production, infrastructure and export sectors to meet existing and future ASEAN market demands.
This initial roundtable event was held to understand where the region is currently positioned within its capacity to supply and export internationally, and to map a development and market-based plan for future trade and investment relationships. The event was an opportunity to bring industry together to determine what customers want and how to facilitate growers in our region to work collaboratively in meeting international demand.
The roundtable was an invite only event, well attended by 50 key industry, logistics, research and relevant government department representatives, including the Port of Townsville, Townsville Airport, Growcom, Meat and Livestock Australia and James Cook University, to name a few. The discussion was led by Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin, with contributors also including Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo, Townsville City Council Councillor Margie Ryder and Charters Towers Regional Council representative Marnie Taylor.
It was overwhelming agreed upon that there is significant need for a long-term regional investment strategy into this industry and that a multi-industry agreement must be developed to meet and exceed current and future food-supply demands from the ASEAN region now and into the future.
Thank you to all contributors to the discussion and observers of the roundtable. Townsville Enterprise looks forward to continue working with the Burdekin Shire Council and the broader Townsville North Queensland agricultural sector for the growth of this industry.
