New horticultural export opportunities from the Burdekin & Whitsunday
New horticultural export opportunities from the Burdekin Bowen region
Soil 85,000 Ha of fertile irrigated land in the region
Water 20 million megalitres of water in the Burdekin aquifer Burdekin falls dam 1.9 million ML
Sun Average 300 days of sunshine each year
New horticultural export opportunities from the Burdekin Bowen region
Why Burdekin & Whitsunday
The Burdekin and Whitsunday regions of North Queensland enjoy a tropical climate of hot summers and warm winters.
The regions have a proven optimal climate for agricultural production and are capable of all year production due to warm winter temperatures, fertile, well drained soils and good supply of quality irrigation water.
These characteristics provide opportunities to establish new export opportunities and the region is well positioned to capitalise on the expanding overseas markets.
Due to industry unrest, come 2017 land that has been long term committed to grow sugar cane comes off contract and many farmers are looking for new opportunities.
Soil Water
The region boasts strong fruit, vegetable, beef, The regions’ most important asset is its water. The aquaculture and sugar industries and is one of Burdekin River, combined with a massive the most productive agricultural regions in underground aquifer and the Burdekin Falls Dam, Australia. About 85,000 ha is used for irrigated make the district drought resistant. The aquifer, production, of which approximately 11,000 ha is which is said to be the largest in Australia, lies just currently used principally for horticultural crops 10 metres below the surface and contains over 20 and another 80,000 ha may be available after million megalitres of fresh water. January 2017. Both sets of farming practices The water availability offers considerably lower embrace complementary crops to enable crop risk than many other food producing regions. diversity to improve farm husbandry practices, The reliability of production flows on to a more address soil health issues by crop rotation and stable regional economy and community. improve viability.
The region has abundant arable land for expansion in agricultural production (14,420,564 ha arable land for agricultural purposes in the Whitsunday LGA - Queensland Agricultural Land Experience Audit 2013) The region has long established agricultural industries but history and previous research has shown that a wide range of crops can be grown. Adoption and uptake is dependent upon markets Sun and viability.
With an average of 300 days of sunshine each The production practices used are adaptive and year, moderate rainfall, warm temperature and innovative. For instance, nearly all vegetable crops high humidity, the region has proven an optimal are grown using plastic mulch and trickle irrigation, climate for agricultural production. The while sweet corn is irrigated using overhead spray conditions allow for counter-seasonal and irrigation and pulse crops such as mung beans and extended seasonal production of many tropical soybeans are irrigated in the sugar cane fallow and sub-tropical crops. The average maximum using furrow irrigation. temperature ranges from 32°C in summer down The regional expertise in tropical agriculture has to 25°C in the winter months. The average resulted in productivity improvements, sustainable minimum temperatures are 22°C in summer and practices and added internationally saleable 11°C during winter. service.
New horticultural export opportunities from the Burdekin Bowen region
About the region
The Burdekin & Whitsunday Shires are some of the most attractive regions along the Queensland coast with lush green fields, f
The Burdekin & Whitsunday covers in excess of 28,000 km2 of land and is home to an estimated 53,000 people.
Residents enjoy relaxed coastal country living, a great tropical climate, easy access to North Queensland’s largest city, Tow secluded bays majestically spread through the Coral sea including Hamilton Island.
The Burdekin produces between 8-9 million tonnes of sugar cane annually, from which 1.3 million tonnes of raw sugar is produced cane to their Proserpine Mill. This land will soon all be off contract and farmers are looking for new opportunities.
About 3,400ha of the Burdekin is currently dedicated to horticultural use such as mangoes, melons, pumpkins, chillies, egg pl commercial producer of the South American achacha fruit. The Whitsunday area has approximately 6,900ha of annual horticultur
Rice production is also increasing in the district. The Burdekin is home to a rice mill and packaging plant owned by SunRice supply and distribution will further increase local production.
Aquaculture production is also growing. Burdekin-based business Pacific Reef Fisheries (PRF) already produces up to 900 tonnes prawns annually.
PRF is also farming 100-150 tonne of cobia (similar to Spanish mackerel) annually, supplying Qantas first-class passengers and f cobia and have been selling for about a year after spending four years developing the fish farms.
Information on the opportunities available in the Burdekin can be viewed in a video available at https://youtu.be/zmtiPM08vYc
New horticultural export opportunities from the Burdekin Bowen region
The Burdekin & Whitsunday Shires are some of the most attractive regions along the Queensland coast with lush green fields, fertile soils, fantastic fishing, spectacular wetlands and unspoilt beaches.
Residents enjoy relaxed coastal country living, a great tropical climate, easy access to North Queensland’s largest city, Townsville, which lies just 88km north of Ayr and gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, stunning beaches and
9 million tonnes of sugar cane annually, from which 1.3 million tonnes of raw sugar is produced at the region’s four large-scale mills, with the Whitsunday region producing 1.8 million tonnes of sugar
About 3,400ha of the Burdekin is currently dedicated to horticultural use such as mangoes, melons, pumpkins, chillies, egg plant, zucchinis, capsicums, mung beans and sweet corn. The Burdekin is also home to the world’s only commercial producer of the South American achacha fruit. The Whitsunday area has approximately 6,900ha of annual horticulture and 590ha of perennial horticulture in Bowen; and 2,200ha of broad acre crops.
Rice production is also increasing in the district. The Burdekin is home to a rice mill and packaging plant owned by SunRice. Further investment by SunRice in important areas such as rice research and development as well as based business Pacific Reef Fisheries (PRF) already produces up to 900 tonnes of premium Black Tiger Prawns annually. PRF supply Coles supermarkets with more than 700 tonnes of class passengers and five-star restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. They are the only company in Australia farming https://youtu.be/zmtiPM08vYc.
New horticultural export opportunities from the Burdekin Bowen region
International shipping and airport
The closest airports are located about 10km north of the township of Ayr for the Burdekin and in Proserpine for the Whitsunday region . With an international airport located in Townsville.
The Port of Townsville is a diverse, multi-purpose port trading more than 30 commodities. More than 12% of Queensland’s international export trade by value is handled over Townsville’s berths, underlying the Port’s standing as a major driver of economic growth and Northern Australia’s port of choice. The port handles the most containerised cargo entering or leaving Northern Australia.
Port of Townsville is strategically positioned as the Port of choice for Asian markets. 75% of the Port’s trade is with Asia. The region’s high value growth corridor is connected to world demand for mineral and agricultural products. In prime position for Northern Australia, with population growth above the State’s average, Townsville is also geographically placed as a strong import hub. Port of Townsville has Australia’s fastest shipping line service to China: a 10 day direct service to Shanghai.
Of Port of Townsville’s 8 berths, 5 are currently utilised for agricultural trades. The Port is Australia’s largest sugar exporter, in excess of 1 million tonnes per annum.
Port of Townsville has world class service providers including stevedores, cold stores, freight forwarders and major international shipping lines.
Port of Townsville has a $1.64 billion expansion project (PEP) underway including deepening and widening the existing shipping lanes, construction of an outer northern harbour of the existing port, six new ship berths and a new breakwater.
The Port also has plans for a new 8km rail freight line connecting the North Coast rail line and the Mount Isa to Townsville rail line to the Port of Townsville. TEARC will provide ‘pit to port’ or ‘farm to port’ rail link for 1400metre trains and will redirect freight away from commercial and community directly to the Port.
New horticultural export opportunities from the Burdekin Bowen region
International shipping and airport
The closest airports are located about 10km north of the township of Ayr for the Burdekin and in Proserpine for the Whitsunday region . With an international airport located in Townsville. purpose port trading more than 30 commodities. More than 12% of Queensland’s international export trade by value is handled over Townsville’s berths, underlying the Port’s standing as a major driver of economic growth and Northern Australia’s port of choice. The port handles the most containerised cargo entering or leaving Northern Australia.
Port of Townsville is strategically positioned as the Port of choice for Asian markets. 75% of the Port’s trade is with Asia. The region’s high value growth corridor is connected to world demand for mineral and agricultural products. In prime position for Northern Australia, with population growth above the State’s average, Townsville is also geographically placed as a strong import hub. Port of Townsville has Australia’s fastest shipping line service to China: a 10 day direct service to Shanghai.
Of Port of Townsville’s 8 berths, 5 are currently utilised for agricultural trades. The Port is Australia’s largest
Port of Townsville has world class service providers including stevedores, cold stores, freight forwarders
Port of Townsville has a $1.64 billion expansion project (PEP) underway including deepening and widening the existing shipping lanes, construction of an outer northern harbour of the existing port, six
The Port also has plans for a new 8km rail freight line connecting the North Coast rail line and the Mount Isa to Townsville rail line to the Port of Townsville. TEARC will provide ‘pit to port’ or ‘farm to port’ rail link for 1400metre trains and will redirect freight away from commercial and community directly to the Port.
New horticultural export opportunities from the Burdekin Bowen region
Contact
CANEGROWERS Burdekin Debra Burden [email protected] +61 7 4790 3603
Port of Townsville Maria James [email protected] +61 7 4781 1548
Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Anna McCowan [email protected] +61 4 2770 1225
Burdekin Shire Council Rebecca Love [email protected] +61 7 4783 9831
New horticultural export opportunities from the Burdekin Bowen region