Red Meat Advisory Council chair Don Mackay has undertaken to lobby the Federal Government for funding for the long-term sustainable development of Karumba Port.
Speaking at the Northern Beef Producers Expo in Charters Towers – where he was keynote speaker – Mr Mackay said the organisation was “talking” to government all the time across a range of issues including infrastructure and transport.
“Whether it’s Karumba or others, sometimes the small ones get overlooked,” Mr Mackay said.
“Karumba has some limitations because of the depth so you can only bring small boats but sometimes small boats can be competitive as well.
“It certainly means that people don’t have to travel the big distance to Townsville or big distance to Darwin.
“If you have a receival in Karumba that is working, that’s a good thing.
“I’ll certainly raise with it with the federal government.”
Mr Mackay, who is familiar with Karumba from previous work stints with a consultancy firm for beef giant Australian Agricultural Company, was responding to questions from Barry Hughes, president of the Gulf Cattleman’s Association.
The beef group has long lobbied for more more government support for the port, which it considers key to the success of the northern beef industry.
“When we look at ports like Karumba they are a great asset to be held in that part of the world but there is no long-term security around sustaining that port from a cattle industry perspective,” Mr Hughes said.
“Where does your organisation sit to be part of the process to get long-term sustainability support and mechanisms in place for places like Karumba especially for the live export market it services.
“We have limited form of support financially from the State Government but it’s not locked in for a long-term period.”
Mr Hughes said the issue was at top of agenda for the Gulf Cattleman’s Association.
“We need continuity and security around a funding package for Karumba port and also a development package,” Mr Hughes said.
“It surrounds our membership base.
“We work with the indigenous group that owns that land and we have good relationship with them.
“We have already had preliminary talks in assisting those guys in further developing that land.”
Mr Mackay said it was critical that infrastructure development did not just just focus on metropolitan and heavily populated areas
“We are talking to governments all the time including the Deputy Prime Minister,” Mr Mackay said.
“We are all trying to work towards the same point. From an industry point we are trying to get actuals happening.
“We put pressure on government constantly for infrastructure around Australia and Karumba is a good example.
“We need to make sure this government, subsequent governments and opposition governments are focused on what will make the difference.
“If we live constantly making Sydney, Melbourne and the southeast corner of Queensland bigger we are just going to get into more trouble.”
Live exports resumed at the port in August last year after it was dredged in June, which the state government funded to the tune of $1.7 million.
The 2015 closure of the Century Mine ended the regular dredging of the port.
