QCAR: A Strong Voice for Farmers

Queensland Cane, Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) is an almost century-old farmer advocacy group that continues to go from strength to strength with new members signing up each week.
Herbert District Manager and Senior Agricultural Officer Lawrence Di Bella credited its growth to the organisation’s unique approach.
“QCAR is very different to most industry groups because it is driven by it grass roots members,” Mr Di Bella said.
“We regularly meet with members who tell us their priorities and what the industry needs and then we act on it.
“Our bottoms-up advocacy approach allows us to focus on shaping policy and stay actively involved at local, state, and national government levels.”
Mr Di Bella said QCAR also offered expert representation when dealing with sugar millers in relation to Cane Supply Agreements and Cane Audit Programs.
“For growers, we’re happy to represent all their farming lands, but if they want to give us a go with just one or two farms, that’s fine too,” he said.
“Under the Australian Sugar Industry Act, growers have the freedom of choice to be represented by more than one collective bargaining agent.
“QCAR is here to represent and meet growers’ needs.”  
Mr Di Bella added QCAR supplied business services to its members and had partners with the Australian Cane Farmers Association (ACFA) and AgForce to drive strategic and positive change across the sugarcane industry.
He said there was strength in numbers with AgForce having more than 6000 members who collectively managed about 55 million hectares, equivalent to about a third of Queensland’s land area under sugar cane, cattle, grain, sheep, wool or goat production.
QCAR chairman Christian Lago said joining forces with ACFA and AgForce secured a stronger future for sugar as well as other industries across Australia.
“This marks a pivotal moment for our industry, and by combining our strengths, we can better serve our members and drive positive change,” Mr Lago said.
Mr Di Bella said the united force of QCAR, ACFA and AgForce reflected QCAR’s mission to encompass Queensland’s agricultural landscapes and gave it greater power to tackle issues and seize opportunities as industries.
He said the broader strategic vision aligned with the evolving dynamics of agricultural industries which included a global push for sustainable farming and development.  
Mr Di Bella stated that QCAR emphasised renewable energy’s contribution to building a greener, more resilient future and helped its members and their communities play an active role.
Mr Di Bella, a senior agronomist, has more than 30 years’ experience in the agriculture sector and at QCAR he oversees technical operations across the Herbert River as well as the Burdekin and Central districts which extends south to Sarina.
His responsibilities include chemical policy management, biosecurity, agricultural data systems and technologies, and the management of weeds, feral animals, pests and disease.

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QCAR Herbert District Manager and Senior Agricultural Technical Officer Lawrence Di Bella with QCAR Herbert Administration Manager Anna Di Bella. Photo: Daniel Heggie

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