July 23rd, 2009 nola
Help Develop Your Industry
TROPICAL fruit growers in North Queensland and the Northern Territory are being urged to contribute to a strategic plan that will accelerate the growth of the exotic fruit industry.
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said the project especially targets producers of rambutan, mangosteen, durian, jackfruit, sapote and abiu.
“The Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) and Tropical Exotic Fruit Australia (TEFA) are spearheading this 18-month project,” he said.
“These fruits, so far worth more than $10m annually to the Queensland and Northern Territory economies, are considered to have the highest commercial prospects as their popularity grows.
“The exotic fruit industry is relatively young but with support could potentially become a significant contributor to Queensland’s economy.
“We had just begun developing this plan three years ago when Cyclone Larry came along and had a dreadful impact on the orchards.
“Producers are now back on their feet and TEFA is keen to set the direction for future research, development and marketing.
Mr Mulherin said there was potential to strengthen the industry, develop profitable supply chains and improve production and marketing.
“To do this we need to update existing strategies and to develop a cyclone risk strategy,” he said.
“Input for the strategic planning project will come from growers across the North of Australia, including Queensland and the Northern Territory.”
QPIF regional industries development officer Yan Diczbalis said QPIF and TEFA needed to develop a database of tree numbers.
“We need a more accurate estimate of industry value, and really focus on the fruit at the forefront of commercialisation,” he said.
“This will help the industry to identify thei r major crops and predict production levels for the coming years.
“The project will allow supply chain participants – wholesalers, providers, specialist tropical exotic fruit retailers and restaurants – to meet with growers and improve the use and promotion of tropical exotic fruit.
“Currently, most product is supplied to domestic markets but we will also be looking at export market opportunities.”
Mr Diczbalis said an important part of the plan would be to develop a cyclone risk and protection strategy to minimise the kind of devastation seen in 2006.
“Cyclone Larry derailed our first attempt to launch this project,” he said.
“But we are confident producers are now in a stronger position to firmly establish their industry and increase its profitability.”
TEFA president and far north Queensland producer Mark Gray is calling on all exotic tropical fruit producers to participate in the development of the strategic plan.
” You don’t have to be a member of TEFA to participate-the project aims to benefit the whole industry,” he said.
“We will be surveying producers for production capability and their vision for the future of tropical exotic fruit production.”
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation is co-funding the project.
Producers wishing to participate should contact:
• Mr Diczbalis, QPIF, South Johnstone (07) 4064 1128
• Mark Gray, TEFA president, Queensland, 0448 167 813
• Kerry Eupene, TEFA, Northern Territory, (08) 8981 9703.
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July 20th, 2009 nola
A Market Feast, The TANKS Arts Centre, Cairns
6 September 2009
Where’s fusion food happening? Cairns. At Our Table takes you on a market feast experience that will leave you in no doubt about how much Asian cuisine has influenced the foods in the Far North. Five Asian communities – Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong and Bhutanese – will cook up, demonstrate and sell mouth watering examples of their finest cuisine – as well tell the stories of their food and culture through traditional music and dance as part of Cairns Carnival on Collins at The TANKS.
For more information: at-our-table-market-feast
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July 12th, 2009 nola
The Federal Government wants to boost agri-tourism and food tourism from a cottage industry in an
effort to help farmers earn more.
A review by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, to be completed by the end of the
year, is examining ways farm-based tourism including working farms, wineries, farmers’ markets and farm stays can expand.
The review examined 10 areas around Australia, including two in Queensland: the state’s tropical north and the Darling Downs.
A spokeswoman for the federal Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, said: “It is important because it
gives food, wine and fibre producers a way to diversify their businesses and find new sources of revenue. It helps farmers to survive challenges such as the drought and climate change and taps into the trend of more city dwellers wanting to understand where their food comes from.
“Initial report findings showed that, while agri-tourism is still in its infancy, it has potential to expand.
The report noted that establishing a food tourism business could be risky and required regional support. It also said farmers needed to be encouraged to take the initiative to become involved in food tourism.
However, as is the case in countries such as France and Italy, integrating agriculture and tourism can build a stronger regional identity.
http://www.daff.gov.au/maff/media/media_releases/2009/march/rudd_government_launches_agricultural_tourism_project
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July 12th, 2009 nola
Foodie events in Tropical North Queensland have reached celebrity status this year with charismatic chef Gary Mehigan, best known as the judge from TV’s Masterchef, flying in to showcase the best of our seasonal, regional foods with a free cooking demonstration at Farmgate Markets , as well as a celebrity chef luncheon at the Sebel Reef House , with a menu of Gary’s creation, to be held during the “Taste of Palm Cove” event, Sunday 23 August.
Saturday 22 August: Farmgate Market 9:30am & 11:00am – Free to public
For more information go to Festival Cairns website
Sunday 23 August: The Sebel Reef House Palm Cove 12:00 – 3:00pm. Bookings essential – T 4055 3633
For more information: go to Festival Cairns website
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July 12th, 2009 nola
Preliminary Community Engagement
The Tablelands Regional Council has commenced on the drafting of their new planning scheme. To alert the community and invite their views and ideas about this important project, they will be running a series of public workshops across the region in eleven different centres.
With the community’s advice and guidance, they seek to develop a framework for managing urban and regional development in the Tablelands which is sustainable, transparent and fair.
For mor informaion: tablelands-regional-council-posters
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July 12th, 2009 nola
The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation invites you to take part in a comprehensive, activity-based workshop series where you will learn how to increase business profitability using website technology.
There are 4 workshops in this series to be held each Thursday from 13 July for 4 weeks:
• Beginner’s ICT workshop: planning for an online business
• Advanced ICT workshop: developing your online business
• Beginner’s ICT workshop: search engine marketing
• Advanced ICT workshop: evaluating your online business
Places are limited and registration is essential.
Enquire at – T: 4048 1111 or E: businessassist.cairns@dtrdi.qld.gov.au.
Click here for more information to grow your business
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July 12th, 2009 nola
Which is the Best Restaurant in Tropical North Queensland?
Restaurant & Catering Queensland 2009 Far North Queensland Awards for Excellence event is being held at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns on Monday 27 July. This will be a great industry event for you or your representatives in Far North Queensland to attend.
For more information
fnq-invite-09
awards-booking-form-09
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July 12th, 2009 nola
Investing In The Future Of TNQ
There’s never been a more important time to make an investment in the future generations of business leaders in this region. Click here for an invitation to the Next Gen Expo, it’s a fantastic initiative and your encouraged to register, send your staff and share the invitation with your contacts. The more we can motivate people with events like this, the greater the positive impact it will have on our region.
Date: Wednesday 29th July 2009
Who should attend? Anyone who would like an insight into the next generation of business leaders!
Venue: Hilton Cairns 34 Esplanade, Cairns
Time: 7:30am Registration – event runs for a full day
More information: http://online.aimqld.com.au/default.asp?PageID=5&eventID=1206
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July 12th, 2009 nola
NAB Agribusiness Awards for Excellence 2009
Invitation to apply for the RIRDC sponsored category:
The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) is, for the first time, sponsoring a New and Emerging Industries Award in conjunction with the NAB Agribusiness Awards for Excellence 2009.
Like you, we are passionate about innovation in Australia’s new and emerging industries and invite you take advantage of this golden opportunity to showcase your industry’s innovations in a major national event.
We strongly encourage your application.
As well as lodging your application with the NAB Agribusiness Awards for Excellence, we would be grateful if you could also send a copy to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation at newindustries@rirdc.gov.au .
The details of RIRDC’s Award are:
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Innovation in New and Emerging Industries Award
• Innovation in science or agronomy, product development or marketing.
• Growth in production or sales.
• Impact of applicant/applicants’ product on ability of wider rural sector to grow and diversify.
• Development or use of new or unique technology, processes or products.
• Demonstrated ability to meet market needs through demand focus.
The application can be found online at the NAB Agribusiness Awards for Excellence site at
http://www.agribis.net/
Entries must be received by Friday 14th August 2009.
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