Threat of being ousted
Sugarcane researchers could be pushed to edge by proposed development area SRA seeks innovative thinkers
AUSTRALIA’S billion dollar sugarcane industry could lose critical research programs if the State Government’s proposed Cairns South Development Area (SDA) goes ahead.
Sugar Research Australia has called for the proposed SDA to be scrapped due to the impact it would have on the Meringa experiment station’s plant breeding programs.
SRA chief executive Neil Fisher said the organisation would find it “extremely difficult” to retain its crossing program if the site was declared.
“The plant breeding “crossing” process, which constitutes the first step in the development of new sugarcane varieties, is performed at the station and nowhere else in Australia,” he said.
“Moving the crossing program elsewhere will be a costly exercise, both monetarily and in time, placing many years of plant breeding at risk.”
It can take 12 years to develop a new sugarcane variety.
The property’s crossing area and photo period facilities are finely calibrated in their current position.
The SRA submission states the Meringa Station, near Gordonvale on the Bruce Hwy, appeared to be overlooked in the proposed SDA.
The proposed area takes in the property’s northern section.
The organisation has invested $1.4 million in the restoration and renovation of buildings on the heritage-listed station.
MSF Sugar’s formal submission report said it was a “national issue”.
“Any relocation of the station will take years of planning and many millions of dollars in investment, all funded by industry owners including MSF Sugar,” the submission report said.
“In addition, long-term research programs at the station will be lost, as these programs cannot be relocated.”
MSF Sugar CEO Mike Barry said the proposed SDA would have serious implications for the Mulgrave Mill and $150 million in planned investment, such as a green energy power station.
“Our investment decisions have been made on the basis of long-term protection for productive agricultural land in the region, and specifically in proximity to the mill on the eastern side of the Bruce Highway, south of Edmonton and north of Gordonvale,” he said.
“In its current form, the potential SDA poses a very serious threat to the future viability of the mill and our long-term expansion plans.” APPLICATIONS for new sugarcane research projects are being harvested by Sugar Research Australia.
The organisation is seeking new and innovative research ideas that will improve productivity, profitability and sustainability for sugarcane growers and millers.
The Meringa experiment station, near Gordonvale, plays a key role in the organisation’s five-year strategic plan through breeding programs that develop new sugarcane varieties.
SRA chief executive Neil Fisher said new innovative research that aligned with the plan started on July 1, 2018.
“Our strategic plan has been created in consultation with our investors and is focused on delivering profitability, productivity and sustainability outcomes for the Australian sugarcane industry,” he said.
“We encourage researchers to submit their best and brightest ideas. We also strongly encourage ideas that have been developed in consultation with industry.”
A Northern Selection Program also operates from Meringa, producing commercial varieties for growers who farm from Tully north to Mossman.
The Meringa Station grows about 2100 tonnes of cane annually on the 62ha property.
SRA will run a two-stage selection process that begins with the submission of preliminary research proposals.
Successful PRP applicants will be invited to submit a final research proposal.
Applications will close on Monday, October 9. More information on the 2018 Project Call and the Strategic Plan is available from www.sugarresearch.com.au.