North Coast cane farmer, MPs call on state government to help clear 2022 flood debris, EPA responds

The EPA says a staggering amount of flood waste has already been cleared from northern NSW cane farms – more than 160 tonnes. It comes after concerns were raised about “dangerous” harvesting conditions.

NSW Cane Growers Association chairman Ross Farlow says it’s not fair to ask growers to pay to dump flood waste. Picture: Adam Hourigan

The NSW Environment Protection Authority says more than 160 tonnes of flood debris has already been removed from more than 30 sites on flood-ravaged Northern Rivers cane farms.

The authority, the EPA, may be able to assist with some further waste, but a spokesperson said most of the time “debris should be managed safely by the land manager or property owner”.

It comes after NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders called for action alongside fellow party politicians Clarence MP Richie Williamson and Shadow Minister North Coast and Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh.

Mr Saunders said he wanted the state to “urgently step in to help pay for the removal”.

NSW Cane Growers Association chairman Ross Farlow also weighed in and said it was “not fair and reasonable” for growers to be expected to pay to remove flood waste.

Nationals leader Dugald Saunders. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Christian Gilles

An EPA spokesperson responded and said the authority’s Land-Based Clean-up of Flood Debris Program delivered “targeted support” for cane farms.

“Between September 2022 and June 2023, the program cleaned up over 162 tonnes of flood debris from 32 sites on flood-impacted cane farms in the Northern Rivers,” they said.

“The EPA understands that flood debris may still be identified for some time and acknowledges the risk of this debris in cane farms.”

A pool found in the middle of a cane field. Picture: Richmond River Canegrowers Association.

The spokesperson said debris should generally be dealt with by owners or managers of land at this stage.

“Local council may also be able to offer support or guidance on how to manage general flood debris,” they said.

“If cane farmers come across flood debris in crops that is large or hazardous and they cannot safely transport it to a waste facility for recovery or disposal themselves, the EPA can assess requests and may be able to assist through its Debris Maintenance Program … ”

That program runs until October 1 this year.

The EPA urged anyone with concerns about flood debris or other pollution risks to email [e-mail] or phone 131 555.

More flood debris.

The NSW government waived the state waste levy after the 2022 floods through natural disaster exemptions. Most exemptions on the east coast expired in the second half of the year.

Support was extended through various programs run by the EPA and jointly funded by the state and Federal governments following disaster declarations.

Earlier: NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders has warned of “dangerous conditions” cane farmers face across the North Coast and called for “urgent action” as harvesting gets in full swing.

Last year’s catastrophic floods left debris strewn across the region, including in cane fields.

Farmers and the Nationals want the state government to provide financial assistance to help clear items from fields after the catastrophic floods.

Debris piled in front of Ruth Feltham's Murwillumbah home in early April last year. The record 2022 floods spread waste far and wide. Picture: AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy

Mr Saunders said growers are still finding unsafe waste in their paddocks.

“One of the lingering issues for farmers following the 2022 floods is the hazardous materials that are left behind once the water subsides,” he said.

“Cane crops in northern NSW can take two years to mature and with the first major harvest underway since the deluge, farmers are now facing dangerous conditions.

Clarence MP Richie Williamson.

Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh.

“We need the government to urgently step in to help pay for the removal of this waste so our primary producers can get on with their jobs and do them safely.”

Clarence MP Richie Williamson and Shadow Minister North Coast and Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh also called for action from the Labor government elected earlier this year.

“It is unfair to ask farmers to shoulder the financial burden of disposing of vast amounts of rubbish dumped by flood waters,” Mr Singh said.

“The government needs to step in and waive any fees to dispose of debris at local landfill or waste centres because every little bit of support counts.”

Mr Williamson said washing machines and furniture were just some of the items uncovered after the floods.

“As cane farmers get rolling for harvest, they are finding more debris and waste in their crops, costing time and money for them to remove,” he said.

“The previous Coalition government was able to absorb the costs of the immediate waste disposal in the aftermath of the floods, so it is reasonable to ask this government to do the same.”

Some of the debris found in a cane field. Picture: Richmond River Cane Growers.

Growers have found numerous examples of flood waste – including a commercial gas bottle.

NSW Cane Growers Association chairman Ross Farlow said farmers trying to dispose of debris were told they were required to pay fees and would not be able to dump the disaster waste for free.

“Last year, the LGA’s (local government associations) waived fees at their waste receival facilities. The Canegrowers executives from the Tweed, Richmond and Clarence Rivers have been advised that the Environmental Protection Authority will not fund the cost of disposal fees this year,” he said.

Long-term Maclean cane farmer Ross Farlow. Picture: Adam Hourigan.

“It is not fair and reasonable that the farmers, who themselves have been severely impacted by the floods, should have to bear the high costs associated with disposing huge amounts of rubbish dumped on their farms by flood waters.

“The cost of the disposal of debris that has been laying in the two-year old cane paddocks since the flood in 2022 is yet another blow to already demoralised farmers.”

NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty was approached for comment, but queries were passed on to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).