Sugar hit: LNP set to announce $12.5m plan to save Mossman’s cane industry

A bold new plan to save Mossman’s cane industry will be unveiled by Opposition Leader David Crisafulli today with new money set to sweeten the pie for growers, workers and investors, rescuing the town’s embattled mill in the process.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says a new plan to be announced by the LNP on Wednesday could save a Far North Queensland town’s embattled sugar mill and reinvigorate its industry. Picture: Brendan Radke

A bold new plan to save Mossman’s cane industry will be unveiled by Opposition Leader David Crisafulli today with new money set to sweeten the pie for growers, workers and potential investors, rescuing the town’s embattled mill in the process.

Under the LNP’s $12.5m plan, $6m will be used to ensure the viability of next year’s crop and cover transport costs.

Around 90 growers have previously supplied the Mossman Mill in Far North Queensland located north of Cairns. Supplied: Far Northern Milling

Another $6m of “transition money” previously allocated by Labor would instead be used to improve productivity, transport efficiency or retrofit the mill for future uses.

“I grew up with the industry running in my veins,” Mr Crisafulli, himself the son of Ingham cane farmers, said.

“I don’t want to see people without hope and that’s what this gives growers.

“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. It is paramount this proud sugar town can continue its farming tradition into the future.”

The Opposition Leader, who will formally announce the scheme at the Rural Press Club in Brisbane today, said a further $500,000 would go to Canegrowers Queensland to find ways to improve grower profitability and productivity and strengthen the industry.

“Our team’s historic investment will give growers the certainty they need to fertilise

and to plan next year’s harvest,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“It also gives potential buyers of the Mossman Mill confidence that they will have

product to crush come the 2026 season and beyond.”

Mossman sugar mill, built in 1896, crushes 500,000 tonnes of sugar cane annually. A cooperative of 110 local cane growers bought the mill in 2019. Picture: Brendan Radke

LNP candidate for Cook David Kempton said the LNP’s commitment provided a

lifeline to the Mossman community at a time where growers were uncertain about what

their futures may hold.

“The LNP’s commitment today is a clear vote of confidence in the Mossman

community, we believe in sugar communities like Mossman, and we want to see its

economy sustained for years to come,” Mr Kempton said.

The LNP's candidate for Cook, David Kempton and Opposition Leader, David Crisafulli have announced their plan to revive Mossman’s sugar industry. Picture: Samuel Davis

Premier Steven Miles announced $12.1m in state government cash earmarked to help workers and growers transition into other industries in February.

Despite receiving tens of millions of dollars in government funding in recent years, the Mossman Mill went into liquidation in March.

Still, the industry has been a key economic driver for the region for more than a century with around 100 workers previously based at the mill with an additional 30 seasonal workers employed during peak crush periods.

Almost 90 growers have supplied the mill in the past.

Originally published as Sugar hit: LNP set to announce $12.5m plan to save Mossman’s cane industry