Council’s sweet on berries

THE Gold Coast City Council wants to transform some of the city’s cane fields into blueberry crops as part of its push for businesses to use recycled water.

The council is negotiating with state fruit and vegetable grower body Growcom to establish a three-year trial.

The plan revolves around using recycled water to grow berry crops on about 20 hectares in fields next to the Pimpama sewage treatment plant.

Details of the deal have been discussed behind closed doors at the council’s water and waste committee meeting.

The committee’s chairman, Paul Taylor, said he could not provide details on the agreement as it was deemed commercial in confidence.

The committee has given council CEO Dale Dickson the green light to continue negotiations over the potential new crops.

“Growcom, the peak representative body for Queensland horticulture, has expressed an interest in working with the city and private industry partners to consider the potential costs and benefits of a horticulture trial,” a council spokeswoman said.

“If agreed, a 20ha trial of berry crops may be established over the next three years.”

More than 6000 tonnes of blueberries are produced in Australia each year at a value of more than $120 million.

The crop is dependent on cooler weather but has been grown with some success in southern Queensland.

Growcom declined to comment on the issue. The deal is a part of the council’s push to get more businesses using recycled water for non-drinking and irrigation purposes.