Australian Sugar Manufacturers say cane rail flaw needs fixing after flood disaster

Australian sugar manufacturers have taken aim at a “critical” flaw exposed in the aftermath of the North Queensland flood disaster.

A Wilmar Sugar Australia cane train locomotive underwent commissioning trials in 2023. Queensland’s sugar manufacturers are working around the clock to ensure factories and rail infrastructure are ready for the 2025 crush, after one of the most severe wet seasons in some key sugar regions across North Queensland. Picture: Cameron Laird

The peak industry body representing Australia’s sugar manufacturers has taken aim at a “critical” flaw in the aftermath of the North Queensland flood disaster.

Australian Sugar Manufacturers CEO Ash Salardini has descrived cane rail as a “blind spit” for the industry that needs to be fixed.

ASM, in a statement, said damage caused by the disaster had been “profound”, including flooded factories that had delayed critical mill maintenance as well as washed out rail lines, damaged rail signals and bridges.

The cane rail network carries about 30 million tons of harvested cane annually, removing tens of thousands of heavy vehicle movements on regional roads.

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett (centre) with Canegrowers Herbert River board members Sam Torrisi, Leah Russo and Steven Marbelli (left) and local grower Darren Reinaudo and Canegrowers Herbert River manager Frank Scardamaglia (right) near Ingham on Friday. Picture: Supplied

Mr Salardini said the disaster necessitated a “policy rethink from governments in how we deal with recovery from natural disasters like floods”, with current arrangements precluding any disaster-recovery support.

“Our cane rail is vital regional freight infrastructure; without it, road congestion and road repair costs would skyrocket, negatively impacting regional Queensland communities and councils,” he said.

“At the end of the day our manufacturers have every right to use regional roads, and as the cost of maintaining cane rail infrastructure becomes too high, the sector might have to look at road transport more seriously.”

Waterlogged sugar cane in Foresthome near flood-ravaged Ingham with Wilmar Sugar Australia’s Victoria Mill in the background in the aftermath of the deadly February flood disaster. Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr Salardini said the costs of maintaining rail infrastructure had ballooned “due to the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters”, which meant that governments needed to revisit their approaches to disaster recovery.

“Let’s make sure that next time a flood hits, industry and government can work together to get the cane rail network up and running for the benefit of all impacted regional Queensland communities.”

The industry is forecasting a total crush of 29,550,000 tonnes of cane nationally this year, a slight increase on last year’s production.

Across North Queensland, however, the crop is down due to major losses of planted cane.

Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo with Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett. Mr Jayo and Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto are advocating for greater assistance for individuals and the vitally strategic sugar-cane industry in the wake of the flood disaster. Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr Salardini said that despite the disruptions, “the sugar industry is once again stepping up to get the crush underway”.

“We’re determined to keep money flowing into the pockets of regional workers, growers, suppliers and communities who rely on sugar manufacturing for their livelihoods,” he said.

“We’re also asking for a little understanding – the Victoria Mill in Ingham was under water just a few months ago and there was widespread damage to our cane rail infrastructure – it is a testament to our workers and the sector that we are pushing ahead with the crush more or less on time.”

Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett, who met with Hinchinbrook cane growers on Friday, was contacted for comment.

Canegrowers has previously raised concerns about how disaster-recovery rules apply to modern farming businesses.

Originally published as Australian Sugar Manufacturers say cane rail flaw needs fixing after flood disaster