North Queensland Leaders Call For Sugar Industry Reform

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort, Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo, Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme, and Townsville City Mayor Nick Dametto call for modernisation of the Sugar Code of Conduct. Photo credit: Facebook

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North Queensland’s sugar industry is being urged to prepare for the future, with regional leaders coming together to call for changes to the Sugar Code of Conduct to support innovation and long-term sustainability.

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Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto, Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo, Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort and Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme recently joined up to advocate for modernisation of the code.

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North Queensland produces more than a third of Australia’s sugar, with cane growers and mills playing a vital role in the region’s economy.

Mayor Dametto said the industry needs the flexibility to explore new opportunities beyond traditional sugar production.

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“We need to ensure cane growers and mills are enabled to expand beyond sugar production into ethanol, biofuels and high-value by-products so they can capitalise on opportunities in the evolving sugar industry,” he said.

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The Sugar Code of Conduct governs commercial arrangements between sugarcane growers and mill owners, including how proceeds from exported sugar are shared.

Regional leaders say updating the code is an important step in supporting the industry as it faces changing markets, new technologies and opportunities in renewable energy.

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The call comes as North Queensland’s sugar communities continue to look towards diversification while protecting one of the region’s most important agricultural industries.

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