Golden era dawns as love for bush blossoms again
QUEENSLAND has reignited a love affair with the bush as the state rides high into a “golden era” of rural prosperity.
Record high beef and lamb prices, bumper wheat, cotton, cane and grain harvests and a break in the brutal five- year drought have lifted spirits.
A shift in the connection between city and bush has added to the sentiment.
AgForce spokeswoman and Charters Towers grazier Sonia Bennetto said the improved relations were evident.
“You can feel it,” she said. “It’s like there is a whole new love and respect for farmers and the bush.
“Australia once rode on the sheep’s back, then on the back of mining trucks, but now it feels like we’ve come full circle to win back that appreciation and support again.’’
For the first time, Australia’s agricultural production this year is tipped to top $ 60 billion, second only to iron ore and more than coal.
Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce described it as the dawn of a golden era.
Queensland Farmers’ Federation president Stuart Armitage said the “lifeblood” sector ploughed $ 18.55 billion into the state’s economy.
“There has been a noticeable change lately in how both State and Federal governments are talking about rural and regional Queensland,” Mr Armitage said.
“Our politicians are once again looking to the regions to drive prosperity and employment.”
However, Mr Armitage added that the sector was being hindered by spiralling electricity prices, access to reliable and affordable water, inferior telecommunications and unbalanced environment and vegetation management legislation. PETER MICHAEL