Mossman Mill expressions of interest open as sugar industry looks for transition
A range of new agriculture opportunities will explored for Mossman with a local leader declaring it was “the end of the cane industry as we know it”.
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A range of new agriculture opportunities will be explored for Mossman with the local MP declaring it was “the end of the cane industry as we know it”.
Cook MP David Kempton said a newly-formed advisory group would urgently explore “high-value” crops to replace the 130-year-old industry, with $6m in state government support for existing sugar cane producers set to end after this year’s harvest.
The troubled mill was placed into voluntary administration in November 2023, despite about $48m in government support provided to the operation since 2019.
The Mossman Mill did not crush any sugar in 2024, with $6m in taxpayer subsidies helping transport cane to the Mulgrave Mill at Gordonvale instead.
In September then Opposition Leader David Crisafulli pledged a $12.5m plan to help save Mossman’s cane industry which included another $6m to transport 2025’s harvest to Gordonvale.
It also included $6m previously allocated by Labor as “transition money” to instead be used to improve productivity, transport efficiency or retrofit the mill for future uses.
But that money will now likely revert to transition money with parts of the mill’s assets sold off late last year by the administrator, and the remaining assets now being marketed by Colliers via expressions of interest, set to close on March 20.
When Mr Crisfulli made his $12.5m pledge he asked growers for their support in the lead up to the election, stating he “grew up with the industry running” in his veins.
“I believe we can save the industry with what we’ve put on the table. It’s a mighty industry that’s been the backbone of Mossman and I’m asking growers to back us,” he said in September.
Mr Kempton said it was unlikely the mill would be recommissioned to its previous operations.
“The mill, the land, and all the remaining equipment will be sold,” he said
“So I think that forecloses on the opportunity for the mill to operate how it has in the past, so that would be the end of the cane industry as we know it in Mossman.
“But that doesn’t mean that’s the end of cane growing because there may be other options, but it’s certainly the end of that mill crushing cane.”
He said there was now a sense of urgency to find alternative crops, but it was not the time to “trial” big ideas.
“We can’t get into a situation where we end up in an experiment over five years that doesn’t replace a viable industry,” he said.
We have to be careful that we don’t start chasing good ideas that don’t come to fruition.
“There are some things that are experimental – the current 6000ha of cane land may yield too much product to support a start up biofuels industry.”
Mr Kempton said he believed the future would need to include improved water supply to the district.
“There is underground water but I think those licences have lapsed.
“There is an opportunity to store overland flow and there may be an opportunity for a discreet water facility which would be a small dam. But at this stage there’s nothing proposed, we’re just having a look.”
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Originally published as Mossman Mill expressions of interest open as sugar industry looks for transition
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