Red Meat Advisory Council chair Don Mackay will 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.
“I’ll certainly raise with it with the federal government.”
The Gulf Cattleman’s Association has has long lobbied for more more government support for the port, which it considers key to the success of the northern beef industry, and president Barry Hughes said “continuity and security around a funding and development package” was needed.
“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.
Mr Mackay said it was critical that infrastructure development did not just just focus on metropolitan and heavily populated areas.
“We put pressure on government constantly for infrastructure around Australia and Karumba is a good example,” Mr Mackay said.
“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.”
