The inaugural Farming in Focus Forum was officially launched by Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald and Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin at the Ayr Showgrounds in May.
Eighty growers, grower groups, and business representatives from throughout Northern Queensland attended the forum which forms part of Townsville Enterprise’s Secure the Future series.
Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the Burdekin was the perfect host for the event. “One of Council’s key actions is to position the Burdekin as a regional leader in agriculture and other agribusiness activities, and I am proud to be launching the Farming in Focus Forum to provide our growers and businesses with further opportunities to innovate, increase production, or diversify,” Cr McLaughlin.
“I would like to thank Senator McDonald for being in attendance today and officially launching the forum, and again thank both QSL and Townsville Enterprise for supporting this important regional event.”
Townsville-based Senator for Queensland, Susan McDonald, said the forum celebrated a key North Queensland industry.
“Agriculture and sugar production play a key role in the Burdekin and wider North Queensland economy, so creating an opportunity to connect primary producers to further information and resources that can improve or diversify their output is terrific,” Senator McDonald said.
“The Farming in Focus Forum further cements the Burdekin as a premier sugar cane production centre, and positions the Townsville and North Queensland region as a national leader in agriculture.” Townsville Enterprise CEO and forum compere Claudia Brumme-Smith said the Farming in Focus Forum was a welcome addition to TEL’s Secure the Future series.
“Townsville Enterprise advocates for and supports all industries in Townsville North Queensland to continue growing and innovating, and it has been fantastic to expand the Secure the Future series to include the agriculture sector from this year,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.
“The opportunities presented by events such as the Farming in Focus Forum are immeasurable, with the knowledge, skills and resources provided to attendees improving their day-to-day activities into the future. I want to thank Burdekin Shire Council for hosting the inaugural forum and thank attendees and exhibitors for sharing their own knowledge with us throughout the day.”
The Farming in Focus Forum, supported by QSL and Townsville Enterprise, is an associated event of the Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival.
