Mackay canegrower and contract harvester, Chris Perna, says growers in his district face a stressful Christmas unless the State Government relaxes restrictions on oversized agricultural machinery over the holiday period.
Due to seasonal conditions and issues with mill performance, this year’s cane harvest looks likely to extend into early January. Mr Perna said that’s the latest the harvest has extended in living memory in the region.
With restrictions due to come into force on Friday December 23 and continue until Monday January 2, Mr Perna said growers would be forced to leave cane standing the paddocks unless they received exemptions to move oversized machinery.
“That all means loss of income,” he said.
“We have a good crop out there this year and we just need to get it in. These are exceptional circumstances and we are just trying to get the government to give a little.”
CANEGROWERS are also calling for a speedy resolution to the use of oversized agricultural machinery.
CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said the crush was running late in a number of key growing districts, including the big production areas of Mackay and the Burdekin.
He said the grower group had been talking to Queensland Government Ministers and MPs and had lodged an application with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police for exemptions to use machinery.
“It is vitally important that our growers and harvesting crews can continue to operate to get this multi-million dollar crop cut and processed,” he said.
“We understand that the roads are very busy during the Christmas-New Year period and our growers are mindful of the need for public road safety.
“We will aim to keep road movements of our big harvesters and haulout trucks to a minimum.”
Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said local MP Julieanne Gilbert raised these issues with him on behalf of Mackay Canegrowers.
“I understand the concerns raised by Mackay Canegrowers about the impact the annual Christmas curfew could have on an unusually long cane harvest season,” Mr Bailey said.
“We need to strike a balance between keeping the economy moving and keeping motorists safe, especially during the holiday period when our roads get busier.
“Applications for an exemption permit will be considered by Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in consultation with Queensland Police (QPS), and will consider any road safety conditions that need to be met.”
Mackay MP Jason Costigan urged the State Government to show some flexibility on the issue.
“We need the crop off ASAP for the benefit of the whole community and that means we need some flexibility in relation to these matters from the Palaszczuk Labor Government,” he said.
“Here's hoping the Ministers responsible get their heads together this week and provide a way forward for people like Chris that is sensible and without unnecessary red tape.”
Applications for exemption permits should be submitted by the grower, or agricultural machine operator, detailing the rationale for the exemption and outline measures to mitigate any road safety risks.
