Annual Report 2024-25

The 2024–25 season tested Queensland’s cane-growing families in ways that were as challenging as they were revealing.

From unrelenting wet weather and mill disruptions to a one- in-fifty-year flood in the Herbert, growers faced a year that demanded patience, ingenuity and grit – and once again proved that this industry’s strength lies in its people.

The 2024 crush was disappointing, coming in at just 27.3 million tonnes for Queensland. 

For the second time in three years more than a million tonnes of cane were left standing in the paddock. A combination of prolonged wet weather, poor mill performance, and industrial action conspired to slow the season. 

Industrial disputes in the Wilmar and Tully regions were particularly disruptive, and while CANEGROWERS worked tirelessly with millers and unions to find solutions, the result was a lengthened season and lost crushing days.

Despite the frustration, growers once again showed the patience and perseverance that have carried this industry through more than a century of challenges.

Weather was not our only test. In the Herbert region, where widespread flooding caused significant crop losses and damage to infrastructure, our advocacy secured an expansion of disaster-recovery payments to include the real cost of replanting plant cane. A critical recognition of the true expense of getting a farm back on its feet.

We also achieved an important change to the definition of “primary producer,” ensuring that growers with off-farm income are not denied the support they deserve. 

These wins matter. They ease the immediate burden on affected families and signal to government that our industry’s voice is both persistent and persuasive.

The past year also brought major developments in our long-running efforts to keep the industry strong and well- represented.

Across many districts we saw increased participation in local industry elections, culminating in the election of a new CANEGROWERS Board and Policy Council in May.

I was honoured to be re-elected Chair, with Joseph Marano and Steven Marbelli as Vice Chairs, and we welcomed Claude Santucci and Glenn Betteridge to the Board.

Their experience and commitment will help guide us through the challenges and opportunities ahead. Other returning Board directors included Michelle Fischer, Joseph Borg, and Kevin Borg.

I would like to formally recognise Stephen Calcagno, Chris Bosworth, Greg Rossato, Greg Plath and Mark Mammino for their invaluable contribution to the Policy Council and also thank Chris and Mark as outgoing directors of our Board for their input to the organisation.

On the advocacy front, we chalked up several significant achievements. Our sustained pressure forced Sugar Terminals Limited (STL) to send a member-status declaration letter, prompting dry shareholders to relinquish shares and enabling districts to facilitate share sales between active and inactive growers. 

The STL Annual General Meeting saw the remuneration report voted down once again, a clear sign of grower dissatisfaction with the leadership at the time.

The process was not without drama, STL tried every procedural manoeuvre imaginable to cancel legitimate proxy votes, dragging the count out for weeks. 

Ultimately, grower resolve prevailed, and I am pleased that Paul Schembri was elected to the STL Board as a grower shareholder, strengthening the representation of those who actually grow the cane.

Beyond the boardroom, we continued to build connections with the broader community and showcase the modern, sustainable face of our industry. 

Our presence at the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) proved a sweet success, drawing strong visitor numbers and giving Queensland families a chance to engage with the story of sugarcane.

I extend heartfelt thanks to our staff whose energy and creativity made the display one of the show’s highlights.

Innovation and thought leadership were front and centre this year. 

We hosted the second Sugar Cubed event in Brisbane in April, aligning it with the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists conference to maximise value for participants. 

Then in June we welcomed the world to Cairns for the landmark World Association of Beet and Cane Growers meeting, a powerful demonstration of Queensland’s standing on the global sugar stage.

Both events required meticulous planning and a huge effort from our team, and they delivered exceptional opportunities for growers to exchange ideas, explore new technologies, and strengthen international networks.

Our policy work has kept pace with the evolving energy and transport landscape. We released a new Sugarcane Transport Load Restraint Guide to help growers navigate complex regulations and opportunities, and we continued to champion a national biofuels feedstock strategy that would see sugarcane play a pivotal role in decarbonising aviation and other hard-to-abate sectors. 

The Federal Government’s growing interest in sustainable aviation fuel positions Queensland cane as a key ingredient in Australia’s clean-energy future.

State politics also offered encouraging signs. The election of a new Queensland Premier, himself the son of a cane farmer, gives our industry a voice in the highest office and fresh opportunities to press our case for supportive policies. 

We welcomed the launch of the Primary Industries Prosper 2050 plan and the accompanying commitment to regional development, and we will hold the government to its promises to invest in infrastructure and innovation.

Education remains a cornerstone of our long-term strategy. We advanced our work in schools with new classroom modules and resources designed to bring the story of cane back to Queensland classrooms.

Initiatives such as these inspire the next generation and help the wider community understand the environmental stewardship and technological sophistication of modern cane farming.

Not every battle was easy. The Christmas period brought further mill delays, taking a heavy toll on farming families who rely on a timely crush and consistent cashflow.

Yet again, growers adapted and persevered. Their grit reinforces why this industry endures, because of the people who refuse to give up.

As I reflect on this year, I am struck by the sheer range of issues we have faced, from natural disasters to industrial disputes, from market reforms to international diplomacy.

Through it all, CANEGROWERS has remained steadfast in advocating for members, strengthening our structures, and promoting a sustainable and profitable future. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, the wisdom of our district leadership, and, above all, the commitment of our grower members.

To every grower and their family – thank you. Your hard work keeps not only our organisation but an entire industry alive and thriving. As the 2025 crush, which kicked off in late May, gathers pace, I remain optimistic. The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities.

Whether it’s negotiating fairer supply arrangements, advancing biofuel initiatives, or continuing to push for stronger disaster support, CANEGROWERS will be at the forefront.

I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming year as I travel across the state. Together we will continue to prove that Queensland cane is not just a crop – it is a cornerstone of regional communities, a driver of innovation, and a vital contributor to Australia’s economy and climate goals.