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Thursday, September 21, 2017

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Welcome

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, September 21, 2017

SNAP OF THE MONTH

◗ STRIKING SCENERY: Gun barrel-straight back roads. PHOTO: Marguerite Cuddihy.

Contents

From the editor

Surat Basin community is a credit to its people THERE is an unintentional recurring theme throughout our September edition of Surat Basin News, and that theme is community. I have to thank TSBE’s Shane Charles for making me take a step back this month and truly appreciate the resilience, adaptability and close-knit nature of the Surat Basin. Shane said it best when he questioned whether any other region had experienced such drastic change in a short period of time and come out the other side as strong as we have. Mayor Paul McVeigh reiterated such sentiments when he spoke of the incredible display of solidarity by the Dalby community in light of the Ostwald fallout. Rallying together, locals pooled resources and in no more than a week managed to organise a Jobs and Training Fair to help those directly effected. And while energy and mining dominate the headlines and are often the reason the Surat Basin makes the news, I don’t believe it to be the region’s greatest asset. It is the people that make this community unique and the people which work hard for it to prosper. People such as 92-year old Miles resident and World War Two Veteran Eric Geldard, featured on page 23. Mr Geldard regularly visits the Miles Historical Museum to share his war time stories and has been instrumental in offering the insight the museum is now renowned for. The Surat Basin boasts some amazing aspects, but none greater than the people who have helped build it. — Carmen Miller

IN THE NEWS Kogan CreekPower Station agreement.......................................3 Senex wins contract......................................................................4 Sugar Code in danger...................................................................5 TSBE calls for missing rail link....................................................7 Ostwald subbies speak out.........................................................10 Dry weather brings fire concern.................................................18

DOWN TO BUSINESS ...........................................................................................9,22,28 OPINION ...................................................................................................19-21 PLACES AND FACES Polocrosse Championships..................................................26-27

The newspaper The Surat Basin News publishes every month and will be delivered via the four dominant newspapers of the region: the Chinchilla News, Western Star, Dalby Herald and The Chronicle. It will reach the homes and offices of almost 50,000 people living, working and playing in the Surat Basin, connecting the business and mining communities thought the booming region. Surat Basin News is a necessity. It was born out of a passion for Australia’s fastest growing communities – a passion for a region of unbridled potential and a future of vast economic growth and opportunities. The newspaper, professionally designed and regionally topical, will be a must read for anyone associated with the exciting Surat Basin. ONLINE: Surat Basin News has gone online to ensure our readers in every corner of the country has the latest news sent directly to them. Go to: www.suratbasin.com.au. PURCHASE FROM: Newsagents in Chinchilla, Roma, Dalby, Gladstone, Moura, Toowoomba, Calliope. VISION: Surat Basin News will allow local businesses to network and communicate with everyone in the 1200 sq km basin, providing unprecedented access to new clients and markets. It will give a revealing insight into major industry while lifting the veil on current and proposed developments. It will be there for each and every announcement shaping the region’s future while profiling the colourful characters.

The team GENERAL MANAGER Erika Brayshaw, Chinchilla Phone 4672 9921, email manager@suratbasin.com.au ADVERTISING TEAM Bobbie Gorring, Chinchilla Phone 4672 9930, email advertise@suratbasin.com.au Greg Latta, Roma Phone 4672 9927, email Greg.latta@romawesternstarnews.com Nicole McDougall, Dalby Phone 04672 5500, email nicole.boyd-taylor@dalbyherald.com.au EDITORIAL

Carmen Miller, Chinchilla

Phone 4690 9454, email carmen.barclay@thechronicle.com.au SURAT BASIN NEWS 12 Mayne Street, Chinchilla Q 4413 PO Box 138, Chinchilla Q 4413 The Surat Basin News is published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd, 12 Mayne Street, Chinchilla Q 4413 The Surat Basin News is printed by News Corp Australia.

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IN THE NEWS

Thursday, September 21, 2017 suratbasin.com.au

◗ ACTION: Workers at the Kogan Creek Power Station are set to receive a wage increase and better working conditions thanks to a new enterprise agreement.

PHOTO: FILE

Deal struck for workers

CFMEU gives tick of approval WORKERS at Kogan Creek Power Station are set to receive a wage increase and improved working conditions after unions gave the tick of approval to a new enterprise agreement with CS Energy. An in-principle agreement reached in court last month will be put to an employee vote in the coming weeks and lodged with the Fair Work Commission if successfully passed. CS Energy, CFMEU and bargaining representatives are currently working together to finalise clauses in the agreement. CFMEU negotiated a 3% wage rise over three years and a

nine-day fortnight for employees following a long negotiation that began last September. “We’re very happy with the deal that was struck and we’ve achieved everything we wanted to do,” CFMEU mining and energy district vice-president Shane Brunker said. “We had 162 items on our log of claims and we achieved the majority of those.” Kogan Creek Power Station general manager Phil Matha said the proposed agreement balanced the interests of both employees and the company. “This is good news for Kogan Creek employees,” Mr Matha said. “CS Energy’s goal throughout the negotiation process has been to reach a new enterprise agreement that delivers wage increases and improved benefits for our employees and helps ensure Queenslanders have access to affordable and reliable

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electricity.” Mr Brunker said while employees stopped short of walking off the job, employees had to collectively take protective action during negotiations for CS Energy to agree to improved conditions. “We dug our toes in and the boys and girls took some protective action,” Mr Bunker said. “They didn’t have to walk off the job but we did industrial action inside the gate, which we’re allowed to do. “It showed the company the workforce wasn’t going to be pushed around.” Mr Brunker said the key issues were a lack of permanent labour and employees being unable to access leave entitlements. He said the new agreement, facilitated by the Fair Work Commission, would afford workers dignity and quality of life.

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Kogan Creek Power Station workers will be afforded “dignity and quality of life” thanks to the approval of a new agreement.

IN THE NEWS

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, September 21, 2017

◗ CONTRACT WON: Senex energy will invest $200 million towards the project’s construction and operation, with 100 wells likely to produce the equivalent of two million barrels of oil a year. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

Senex Energy wins contract

Project Atlas set to create jobs MORE than 150 jobs will be created in the Surat Basin after Senex Energy announced its plan to strengthen the struggling domestic gas market. The emerging coal seam gas producer, which already has major projects in south-west Queensland, beat a competitive field to win a State Government contract to develop domestic gas on a 58sq km parcel of land outside Miles. The project has been dubbed Project Atlas. Chief executive officer Ian Davies said the company would invest $200 million towards its construction and operation, with 100 wells likely to produce the equivalent of two million barrels of oil a year. “We expected to have first gas in 2019, which is lightning fast for a green gas field –we’ll make a good-quality return,” he said. “It’s an important block for us and we’re focused on getting the gas into the market. “The estimated shortfall of available gas is between 100–50 terajoules per day on the east coast. “This project would represent about 20% (30 terajoules) of

that estimated shortfall.” Mr Davies said Senex, which announced a $135 million surplus in June, was in a position for further investment thanks to its disciplined budgeting following the downturn in the oil and gas sector. The announcement was hailed by Queensland Resources Council CEO Ian Macfarlane as a sign of the state’s role as a leading gas producer. “Once again Queensland is leading the way in securing Australia’s energy position by taking a proactive approach to energy prices by increasing supply with an Australian-only sale condition,” he said. “This announcement demonstrates Queensland is getting on with the job of opening up new gas supplies, while political interference in New South Wales and Victoria has completely stalled gas exploration.” The news comes after Asian conglomerate Jemena won the tender for the $800 million north-east gas interconnector pipeline contract, which will run 622km between Tennant Creek

in the Northern Territory and Mount Isa in Queensland. The pipeline will link directly into the Carpentaria and south-west Queensland , improving distribution of gas collected in the south-west and Northern Territory to the east coast. Jemena has proposed the construction of a secondary gas pipeline running from Mt Isa to Wallumbilla as the supplies and demand in city centres increase. Senex Energy released a copy of a presentation delivered at the RIU Good Oil Conference in Perth on September 13. The presentation gave an overview of Senex's business and strategic priorities, including progress on the company's Western Surat Gas Project in Queensland and the introduction of Project Atlas to the Senex portfolio. According to the presentation, the name Atlas was chosen for the project as it means strength, integrity and resilience. The company feels strongly that Project Atlas symbolises stronger domestic energy security for Australian businesses and households, delivered with integrity and resilience, and creating growth and opportunities for Senex and its stakeholders.

Thursday, September 21, 2017 suratbasin.com.au

IN THE NEWS

Canegrowers call for support

Sugar code of conduct in danger CANEGROWERS urges Senators of all parties to speak up and reaffirm their support for protections for family farmers and maintain the stability of a $2.5 billion export industry. The Sugar Industry Code of Conduct, launched in April this year, is in danger of being disallowed unless a motion introduced by NSW Senator David Leyonhjelm is withdrawn or voted down. “We know there is wide support for the Code in Parliament,” Canegrowers chairman Paul Schembri said. “It is a vital safety net for our sugarcane farming members and must not be stripped away. “The Labor Party, Liberals, Nationals and Greens have already acknowledged the need for a Code through their roles in a Senate Committee investigation into arrangements for the marketing of Australian sugar. “It was the sole recommendation in 2015 of the Rural and Regional Affairs Committee, chaired by WA ALP Senator Glenn Sterle, that a Code be developed and implemented for the sugar industry. “We need all parties to reinforce their support and defeat Senator Leyonhjelm’s misinformed attempt to confuse the issue and put misguided ideology ahead of what is needed in the real world,” Mr Schembri said. Distance and the perishable nature of cut cane means that growers have no choice but to supply their local mill, giving the mill owner a regional monopoly. Requiring negotiations to be conducted in good faith with

◗ PLANNING: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen and Canegrowers Queensland chairman Paul Schembri when the Sugar Code of Conduct was in discussion. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED:

each party acting reasonably, fairly and honestly without intimidation, the Code prevents millers from abusing that monopoly power in supply contract negotiations with growers and their collectives and provides a mechanism for arbitration should there be a deadlock. “The Sugar Industry Code of Conduct is something the parliament has dealt with and resolved through the Committee system,” Mr Schembri said. “The parties involved supported the need for it and the Code was put in place in April 2017.

“We have moved on and are busy generating wealth for the Australian economy. “We are about half-way through the 2017 sugarcane harvest which will see 32.5 million tonnes of cane cut and crushed into raw sugar with 80% of it to be exported. “Canegrowers members have $11 billion invested in this industry and our farms underpin an export product that secures the prosperity of regional communities along 2,100 km of Australia’s east coast.”

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IN THE NEWS

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, September 21, 2017

Crossbenchers want Royal Commission to investigate

Katter calls for a CSG inquiry

◗ FIGHTING BACK: Landowner Kane Booth said his business had been destroyed and that the Commission of Inquiry would make the Government hold big gas companies accountable. PHOTO:MATTHEW NEWTON

INDEPENDENT MP Bob Katter has formed an unlikely alliance with the Greens in an attempt to see a commission of inquiry investigate the coal seam gas (CSG) industry. The Commission of Inquiry Coal Seam Gas Bill 2017 will focus on the negotiating powers of parties involved, impacts on land, water and communities, agreement making, and payment for damages and compliance. The bill responds to concerns raised about the conduct of

CSG companies and their negotiations with landowners, along with inadequacies in the government compliance processes. Mr Katter didn’t hold back when he presented his bill to Parliament. "The ugliest garbage dump and cesspool will be uncovered if this bill proceeds," he said. "There will be a lot of people of the mainstream parties who will be fighting tooth and nail to avoid this from happening," Mr

Katter said. Mr Katter said more than 2000 formal complaints had been registered against the industry. "That’s 2000 complaints and not one single action by the ALP and LNP governments," Mr Katter said. "There are people that have made ‘squillions’ of dollars out of this. The relationship between government and CSG needs to be put under the spotlight." Chinchilla cattleman Kane Booth, who is currently embroiled in a legal battle with gas giant QGC over infrastructure on his farm, joined Mr Katter in Parliament as he introduced the bill. Mr Booth said his business had been destroyed and that the Commission of Inquiry would make the Government hold big gas companies accountable. "It’s about compliance, that’s the big issue. "It’s a massive imbalance – how can one person or farmer stand up against multi-billion dollar companies. We just can’t compete with the legal teams. "As a farmer your hands are tied... Much of our station will now be in a permanent man-made drought." Mr Booth broke down in front of media as he recalled the toll the last six years had taken on his family and friends. "It’s hard for us farmers. I have spent $500,000 in legals. You can’t get these people into court. Who is going to help? "There is no one to help or keep these people accountable. "The State Government has acknowledged the breaches to the Environmental Authorities and acknowledged that there is potential diversion of the overland flow across the entire Surat Basin but have taken no action. Many properties are now experiencing a man-made drought. "You know when Adam Bandt, Leader of the Greens, and Bob fight together – two who seldom agree – this must be serious. "These people have to be held accountable for the devastation they have caused in the entire Surat Basin and they need to review these people from an unbiased independent body," Mr Booth said.

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Planning assistance aims to help farmers PLANNING assistance is now available for Queensland farms and cities. Environment Minister Steven Miles launched two new plans to assist these sectors with climate change – the Agriculture Sector Adaptation Plan and the Built Environment and Infrastructure Sector Adaptation Plan. The Queensland Farmers Federation, in partnership with AgForce and Growcom, developed the Agriculture Sector Adaptation Plan while leading industry lawyers DibbsBarker facilitated the Built Environment and Infrastructure Sector Adaptation Plan. “We know farmers stand to be the hardest hit by a changing climate so the agricultural strategy will help them protect their properties,livestock and crops from hotter temperatures and severe weather events,” Mr Miles said. “This plan helps farmers make these changes now to stop them getting caught out later. “This could mean infrastructure changes such as building shelter for animals to escape the heat or altering planting times for crops to avoid the hottest parts of the year.”

◗ ASSISTANCE: New plans have been launched to assist sectors at high risk of the effects of climate change PHOTO: ALASDAIR YOUNG

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IN THE NEWS

Thursday, September 21, 2017 suratbasin.com.au

Rail the missing link

Rail solution integral to export plan ◗ SPEED UP: TSBE has called for a rail solution in order to facilitate the region’s expanding mining operations. PHOTO: File.

agricultural exporters, as well as providing hundreds of jobs for regional Queenslanders." Tens of millions of dollars had been invested by private equity to open the rail line, and more investment was in the works, Mr Charles said. What was now needed was a commitment from the State Government to work with private enterprise to progress the projects. "We would ask coal mine proponents and the State Government to engage with private investors, like ATEC Rail Group who have already invested considerably in the Surat, to find a solution to make this investment in rail infrastructure happen, and for construction to begin," he said. Mr Charles said he'd spoken with ATEC Rail Group managing

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director John Balassis who confirmed the company was in discussions with the State Government to invest more than $250 million expanding freight corridors throughout the resource-rich Surat Basin. It followed the company's significant investment exploring improved freight transport solutions for minerals, agriculture and commodity exporters in the region. Mr Charles said ATEC Rail Group's investment would improve the existing freight bottlenecks, and get freight off the road and onto rail. In a statement, TSBE said it would "encourage the Queensland Government to hasten investment discussion with ARG so that construction on a rail solution could commence, provide certainty for landowners along the corridors, and most importantly, provide jobs for the region".

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TOOWOOMBA and Surat Basin Enterprise has called on the State Government to work with the private sector to speed up rail access to mining operations in the region. A critical missing link, and one which has already seen tens of millions of dollars invested into it, is freight rail infrastructure which would open the Surat Basin region to commodity and agricultural exporters, according to TSBE executive chairman Shane Charles. He said a rail solution was needed to support the region's expanded mining operations following the State Government granting Glencore its mining leases for a proposed coal mine near Wandoan. "We are aware that the mines will not start any time soon, but we also know that big pieces of infrastructure, like new rail infrastructure to freight north to Gladstone's export port, take a long time to deliver," he said. "We believe that Surat Basin coal will be required by the international markets by 2023, so industry and the government, supported by private equity, needs to start progressing this rail infrastructure now. "Significant private sector investment in freight rail infrastructure will open the entire precinct to commodity and

DOWN TO BUSINESS

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, September 21, 2017

Beef industry investment

Chinese investors eye Western Downs

◗ FUTURE PLANS: Chinchilla's Steve Keating and Paul McVeigh meet with Chinese investors from Hong Kong.

FROM Mongolia, Hong Kong and Shanghai to Roma and Chinchilla – it’s not every day a delegation of Chinese businessmen tour the Western Downs. But Steven and Ursula Keating last month hosted a contingent of six investors from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Inner Mongolia. The Chinese investors have shown an interest in the local beef industry that could pave the way for major investment. Mr Keating, company director of Australian Agricultural and Environmental Solutions, said Chinese investor interest in the Western Downs region has been ignited by Australia’s clean reputation and strong biosecurity and quarantine protocols.

PHOTO: JULIA BAKER

The visit was the culmination of the Keatings spending a year building key contacts in China. “There is a very high demand for beef that can be branded and marketed accordingly,” he said. “The significance of today is that they’ve seen stock in the flesh and we’ve showed them our property. “We’ve been able to build more of a relationship. “We’ve liaised a lot and thrown a lot of figures around in terms of buying and running cattle, slaughtering it, right through to live export, so we’ve been through the whole paddock to plate. “There are a lot of investors in China watching us and looking

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at the figures.” Following a tour of AA&ES operations stretching through to Roma, the delegation returned to the Keatings’ recently-acquired property, The Shanti, on Charleys Creek west of Chinchilla. AA&ES general manager David Fraser said the historic The Shanti property is the latest addition to the company’s growing business portfolio and is a fitting acquisition given the property’s historic significance to the region’s biosecurity journey. Mr Fraser said AA&ES had developed a reputation throughout the Surat Basin for its alignment of sustainable agriculture with environmental management. “We’ve gotten to the stage where we’re really looking at cattle and land and how to build an investment opportunity for Chinese money they know about and have access to but need to substantiate an investment model that their investors are going to have confidence in,” Mr Fraser said. “Both initiatives are well within our core capabilities and their recent implementation serves as yet another local demonstration of our company’s expertise in managing both environmental and agricultural projects,” he said. Industry experts have confirmed Chinese investors are seeking opportunities to lease local land for cattle production and to process them locally before exporting product to China to meet market demands. Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh welcomed the delegation and discussed with them the advantages of investing in the region. Cr McVeigh said he was on hand to meet the delegation to show his support for the development of new business on the Western Downs and “the next level of business in the industry”. “Steve has made the commitment to invite them back in to our region to look at what is going to be growing our agricultural resources and putting opportunity in there to put processes in place,” he said.

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Thursday, September 21, 2017 suratbasin.com.au

DOWN TO BUSINESS

◗ DATE SET: Basin Sustainability Alliance’s AGM will be held on October 13 and wil host a great line-up of speakers.

PHOTO: ALANA CALVERT

Water sustainability to take centre stage

Impressive speakers set for AGM THE Basin Sustainability Alliance’s AGM, scheduled for October 13, has an impressive list of speakers that can shed light on a vital considerations for landholders. One key consideration that will be covered at the meeting whether the 2017 Great Artesian Basin and Other Related Aquifers {GABORA} Plan will ensure sustainability while the mining sector has unlimited water take. The new plan came into effect on Sept, 2 and has particular relevance to the Surat Basin given the region’s CSG activity. To address and discuss the aforementioned considerations,

the BSA will welcome Saji Joseph , Director Strategic Water Programs from Department of Natural Resources and Mines speaking on The GABORA Plan 2017- Management Arrangements for the Surat Basin. Following, CSIRO’s Dr Huth will discuss his work within the The Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance Agricultural Land Management portfolio including spatial analysis of the CSG footprint, soil erosion and compaction, impacts on crop yield and machinery operations and current work in grazing systems

After a short intermission, Wambo Feedlot proprietor and very experienced environmental engineer Max Winders will deliver an update on his ground-breaking local hydrological model for assessing the real impact of the local CSG industry and other major water extractors on his feedlot bores. Finally, Ruth Wade, the Gas Field Commission (GFC) Chair, will discuss the new vision and role for the reformed GFC. The BSA cordially invites all interested from the Surat Basin community to attend the AGM which will be held on October, 13 from 2 to 5pm at the Chinchilla RSL.

The Basin Sustainability Alliance advises that our Annual General Meeting will occur at the Chinchilla RSL from 2-5 PM on Friday Oct 13.

All interested parties are invited to attend, but only ﬁnancial members may vote. Members are encouraged to nominate for our Management Committee 14 days prior to the AGM After the AGM, an informative speaker panel will update on issues vital to the sustainability of the Surat Basin (see adjacent/above article)

Lee McNicholl, BSA Chair ‘Arklow’, 1914 Dulacca South Road, Dulacca QLD 4425

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IN THE NEWS

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, September 21, 2017

In brief FIVE new pontoons will be delivered over the next two months for western Queensland with on-site construction about to get underway. Acting Main Roads and Ports Minister Steven Miles said the $1.2 million contract had been awarded for the Western Pontoons package. "This package of works will include new and upgraded pontoons at Cunnamulla, St George, Dirranbandi, Condamine and Chinchilla," Mr Miles said. "The Western Pontoon package will greatly improve access to the local rivers and provide recreational opportunities for boaties and fisherman alike. "The Palaszczuk Government recognises the importance boating and fishing plays in the lives of these communities and I am pleased to see the western Queensland towns receiving new boating infrastructure in their waterways." Mr Miles said Queensland based contractor, Pacific Pontoon and Pier had been successful in winning the contract "Works are kicking off in mid-September with the pontoons on the Warrego River at Cunnamulla and Balonne River at St George to be replaced," he said. "Next, pontoons will be installed at Dirranbandi, Caliguel Lagoons (Condamine) and Chinchilla Weir. "Each pontoon is worth approximately $240,000 and features a concrete deck and restraining piles." Mr Miles said works have also recently been completed on a new boat ramp at Dirranbandi. "The new boat ramp is located just downstream of where the new pontoon will be installed," he said. All pontoons are expected to be completed and functional by the end of October, weather permitting. Funding is being provided by the Palaszczuk Government’s $30 million Marine Infrastructure Fund.

◗ QUESTIONS RAISED: Subbies claim State Govt. was aware of Ostwald’s financial struggles earlier than stated. PHOTO: MICHAEL DOYLE

Hearing raises questions

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SACKED subbies from the Pacific Hwy upgrade have called out the State Government's claim that the financial woes of contractor, Ostwald Bros, was only brought to their attention last month. A transcript of the NSW Budget Estimates hearing revealed Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey said the government became aware of Ostwald's monetary struggles on August 7. Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) chief executive Ken Kanofski said he was alerted to the issues in a similar time period leading up to Ostwald, which is now in voluntary administration, deserting their operations at the Glenugie to Tyndale section on August 25. But four contractors argued they made everyone aware of their payment plight; including the RMS, Pacific Complete and Seymour Whyte. All four are each owed more than $90,000 in unpaid wages by the ailing Darling Downs based company, which they claim hasn't paid wages since May. One subbie said it was "a load of s**t" that the RMS denied that they knew nothing about the issue until last month. "It would be a lie for the RMS to say they didn't know before then (August 7)," they said. "I am the one suffering at the end of this." Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Mick Veitch

questioned Mr Kanofski in State Parliament, asking if the head contractor, Seymour Whyte, had proven financial due diligence before Ostwald was awarded the tender for certain works. "All the appropriate reports were sought and were in order at that time, so the contract was awarded," Mr Kanofski said. Mr Kanofski denied he had any knowledge of Ostwald's financial troubles prior to it being awarded the contract, when questioned by Mr Veitch. "No, the normal due diligence was undertaken in the reports. Generally, we get independent financial assessments as part of the process," Mr Kanofski said. " ... we started getting some phone calls from subcontractors. That was when we became aware that the company had financial difficulties." Ms Pavey said the government, together with the RMS, had worked to support the subbies as Ostwald and its creditors began to navigate the administration process. "... As soon as we were made aware with the first phone call on August, 7 — and then a few more phone calls came through in the week commencing August 12 - we have been part of a process to limit the impact on those subcontractors," she said. "It is not fair, it is not right, and it is un-Australian — all of those things."

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suratbasin.com.au Thursday, September 21, 2017

Dry weather a worry

Fire danger for season ahead IT LOOKS like we’re in for a tough fire season and farmers are set to be at the forefront of it. Rural Fire Brigade south-west regional manager Tony Johnstone said fire fighters across the state were busy responding to fires, some sparked by machinery and others starting from farm burn-off piles thought to have been extinguished a month ago. He said it was important for farmers to be very aware while out in the paddocks this season. “Look, it has been a very dry winter and, as people know, when we have a dry winter we end up with an early fire season,” he said. “It’s the wind and the dryness that actually causes it.” He said one issue was timber stacks left over from farmers who had tried to do the right thing in reducing fire fuel on their properties ahead of the season’s start.

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“They’ve burned off before the season, but with the wind and a spark or two it can get out of control. “People need to go back and check those piles to make sure they’re not still hot.” He said another big area to consider was vehicle maintenance, whether it was making sure tractors and mowers were clean or checking the bearings on older machinery. “The grass is just exceptionally dry for this time of year because we haven’t had any rain,” Mr Johnstone said. “Some graziers are holding onto their grass because they know it’s going to be a dry season.” He encouraged people to mow early in the morning or later in the day, and also keep machinery clean and in good order. He said it was also important to keep some water on hand in case a spark did ignite the grass. It was also a good idea to get to know your neighbour,

because sometimes it could take a fair while for the nearest rural fire crew to arrive and in those cases, your neighbour’s assistance would be vital. “If we get very busy, we can’t guarantee we can get to every property,” Mr Johnstone said. “If they can help us, we can help them. “Some volunteers have to travel an hour or an hour-and-a-half to get to a fire.” Calling Triple Zero was also very important to ensure the right response, but Mr Johnstone said many people were often guilty of trying to call the local station or their mate in the rural fire brigade instead. He said calling the emergency number was a much better way to ensure a prompt response and it was important to provide as much information as possible about the fire’s location and type, even including the colour of the smoke.

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Decentralise Gasfields Commission

QRC applauds government

Community banding together

Ian Macfarlane, Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council

MAYOR PAUL McVEIGH Western Downs Regional Council

ANN LEAHY Member for Warrego

Welcome to the September Edition of the Surat Basin News. The Gasfields Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 has now been passed by the Queensland State Parliament as a result of an independent review undertaken by Professor Robert Scott. The amendments to the Gasfields Commission Act are envisaged to provide clearer separation between the strategic and operational functions of the commission. The legislation seeks to modify membership requirements and clarify the responsibilities of the chief executive officer. I was disappointed to learn during the Committee Public Hearings on this legislation that the Gasfields Commission has closed its Toowoomba Office as at the 30th June 2017 and the office will now be located in Brisbane. This closure combined with only 23% of staff being tasked with regional engagement is disappointing. As at the 8th June 2017 there were thirteen staff engaged by the Commission and only three identified as regional engagement officers. It is my view that the Gasfields Commission should be located in a community like Dalby, where there is an onshore gas industry. It is important to note that Professor Robert Scott review found – "the GasField Commission functions that should be maintained or enhanced in order that a harmonious relationship between the CSG industry and agricultural land uses can be created and maintained." However what the State Labor Government has done behind the claims of structural and operational changes, is reduced a once robust, stand alone entity - to a Commission that is majority metropolitan based. I am a passionate advocate of decentralising these types of government bodies into regional communities, like Dalby, and I will continue to advocate to have organisations like the Gasfields Commission located in regional communities where their decisions are most relevant and day to day work occurs.

OPINION

Thursday, September 21, 2017 suratbasin.com.au

The sense of community and pride regional living is famous for was on display recently when the business community rallied to help workers whose employment was compromised by the Ostwald Bros administration. In less than a week Council, the Dalby Chamber of Commerce and the Department of State Development came together to put on the Dalby Jobs and Training Fair. In a huge, coordinated organisational effort, the event culminated with around 25 businesses offering positions on the day, six employment and training services, and plenty of additional support services. It was so impressive to see the community rally at a time that would have been very difficult indeed for the employees and their families who were affected. The availability of so many vacant positions shows the economic strength of this region, and our fantastic unemployment rate of just 4.1%. With major retailers such as Bunnings and Aldi selecting our region to open stores, there's a real vote of confidence in the retail sector of the Western Downs. This will have flow-on effects to our smaller businesses as well, as more people stay in the region to do their shopping. It has also been a great month for arts in our region, with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra visiting Chinchilla to delight audiences and run workshops. Dogwood Crossing at Miles, Lapunyah Art Gallery at Chinchilla and Gallery 107 at Dalby have continued their high calibre art events, with several excellent exhibitions recently. In our agricultural sector, the completion of the bull ring at Dalby Regional Saleyards complements the largest one day selling centre in Australia, and allows us to host well facilitated and professional bull sales.

Queensland is taking decisive action to ease the gas squeeze with the Queensland Government releasing more land for exploration this month and awarding an Australian-use-only tenure in the Surat Basin. In a matter of days, the government granted 58 square kilometres of prime acreage to Senex and opened close to 400 square kilometres of highly prospective land in the Surat and Bowen basins. The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) applauds the Palaszczuk Government for taking a proactive approach to energy prices by increasing supply into the east coast market. Down south, the New South Wales and Victorian governments must follow in the footsteps of Queensland and work with industry to bring on more supply. We can’t ask businesses to dim the lights or buy diesel generators over summer – we must supply them with more gas. These announcements demonstrate Queensland is getting on with the job while gas exploration has stalled in New South Wales and Victoria. Both Queensland releases are fast tracked for production with Senex aiming to have gas flowing in under two years. Queensland based Senex will drill close to 100 wells, create around 150 jobs and inject more than $200 million over the life of the project. The acreage contains P50 recoverable gas volumes of 201PJ and is capable of sustaining production rates of more than 30 terajoules a day. QRC’s current data shows that in 2015-16, the state’s gas industry contributed $12.8 billion to the state’s economy, invested $5.3 billion into local businesses and community organisations while supporting 65,000 jobs.

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OPINION

A strong region

Fostering relationships

This month I wanted to talk a little about our fantastic community. TSBE is visited nearly every two weeks by another local government, another region, or another chamber of commerce about what has happened in our region to make us the envy of others. People are envious of what we have been able to achieve in a short period of time, particularly when we have had the controversial Coal Seam Gas developments to contend with. When people ask me how our community has (largely) embraced and learned to co-exist with gas development, the answer is easy. It’s not TSBE, or Council, or the gas companies – it’s the people. Now I will not pretend for one second that there isn’t a small minority of people who outright reject CSG development in the region, and I respect that. However, independent statistics show that by far the majority of the community is now just getting on with life. We see for the first time in a long time that our regional population is not diminishing as our aged head off into the big smoke to retire, or our school leavers have to leave town to look for opportunities. We see local government working closely with gas companies to actively try and get operational workforce into our communities. We are a resilient lot in the Surat Basin. Just look for an example of how Chinchilla has changed in the last 10 years. Some will argue otherwise, and no doubt some businesses have found it tough, but the level of development in the community is quite extraordinary. Who says regional and rural communities are stuck in their ways and reluctant to accept change? I cannot think of a region that has had more change in such a short period of time. We all love to have a whinge from time to time, but my humble opinion is that we should be proud of who we are and how we have rolled with the punches. I am particularly proud that we see life and vigour in the Surat Basin. We are a region that should be extremely optimistic about our future. But guess what? The best is yet to come.

At the parliamentary sitting in September the Land Access Ombudsman Bill and the GasFields Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill were debated in cognate. These were both very important pieces of legislation for landholders and were supported by the LNP. Before becoming the Member for Condamine I was a landholder in the Cecil Plains area, during this time I had to negotiate a conduct and compensation agreement with a gas company so I have had firsthand experience with the process which was at the time a complicated and difficult one, requiring legal advice. Whilst my negotiations were being conducted the gas industry was going at a million miles an hour and everyone was trying to keep up. Thankfully this has slowed down since then and legislation has been put in place to better protect landholders and their land and water assets. During the term of the LNP government, the GasFields Commission was established to oversee the gas industry and assist landholders. This was one of the stand out initiatives of the former LNP government as it created a body that could keep check of the changes in legislation for an industry that was racing to harness the vast gas supplies under much of the farming and grazing country of the Darling Downs and Western Downs areas of the Surat Basin. The Land Access Ombudsman Bill now allows the Ombudsman to refer breaches to the government department, after a reasonable attempt has been made to resolve the problem. The establishment of the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment was instituted when the LNP were in government, another significant improvement which ensured our knowledge and understanding of what is happening to our underground water was measured systematically. The improvements to negotiations and land access agreements between landholders and resources companies can be partly attributed to the technical information gathered and those involved having a greater understanding of what is occurring. This research needs to be ongoing to monitor the impact of gas extraction and ensure landholders protect their water and land assets for future generations.

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Queensland’s gas industry continues to do the heavy lifting when it comes to bringing more gas to market. The recent announcement that local company Senex Energy has secured the rights to develop a new petroleum lease in the Surat Basin is the latest in a string of new Queensland projects to supply domestic customers on the east coast. While other states dither or, worse, lock-up urgently needed gas resources, Queensland is getting on with the job. The State Government clearly recognises that the only way to put downward pressure on prices is to increase supply. If the Government is prepared to keep this momentum going, the industry stands ready to invest, bring on even more gas, and create more jobs. In 2015-16 alone, Queensland’s gas industry directly and indirectly supported almost 40,000 jobs, and provided more than $12 billion in total value-added activities in the state through direct, indirect and consumption-based activities. We know there are challenges. Green activists, often funded by foreign donors, do not have Queenslanders’ interests at heart. Their fear campaigns are intended to pressure political leaders to lock up valuable resources owned by the community. The latest target for these campaigns is the Cooper Basin where the gas industry has operated safely for the last 40 years. The industry welcomes the fact that the State Government is putting the interests of everyday Queenslanders first by resisting the pressure these activists are applying, particularly to political leaders in inner-city seats. Continued investment in production requires a steady and stable approach from government. That is why the industry looks forward to the forthcoming release of the Queensland Gas Action Plan, which is expected to detail new measures to increase supply, economic growth, and put downward pressure on energy prices.

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There is little doubt that the Queensland gas industry is misunderstood and one of the key areas of confusion seems to surround the water produced by the Coal Seam Gas industry. To produce natural gas, the industry reduces the pressure of certain aquifers by pumping water from coal seams. This allows the natural gas to flow and the water is captured for processing. In many cases the water known as Coal Seam Gas water is exactly the same

water that farmers have been using for decades. It is only because it is officially classified as a by-product of gas production that it is called produced or CSG water. In theory, if you have a gas well and a water bore side by side taking water from the same aquifer, one would be called good water and the other one produced. Many landholders and local governments are taking advantage of this and using CSG water to water stock, for irrigation, construction and a range of other uses. It is not "wasted" as many people seem to believe.

Irrigation water is required to meet a universal standard that applies to all water used for irrigation and is governed by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. The quality of water for stock is governed by an Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council ( ANZECC ) international guideline. The potential impact of the industry producing water is carefully assessed by the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment. That makes water in the gas fields one of the most carefully managed resources in the country.

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Maranoa MP calls for honesty contracts

I AM calling for the Labor State Government to put people ahead of profits by introducing honesty contracts and provide tariff concessions as rural Queenslanders struggle to cope with sky-high electricity prices. The Energy Markets Commission recently released a report and it found we’re paying significantly more than we need to because consumers haven’t received the necessary information or they’ve gone from adiscounted power contract to higher-priced rates without being told – and that’s why I believe honesty contracts must be introduced. The Federal Coalition Government recently held power companies to account, demanding electricity providers inform customers of when their contact ends so consumers can switch providers or look for a better deal. However, for Queenslanders living outside the South East corner, we don’t have a provider choice and that’s why I believe the State Government has a responsibility to regional customers to provide tariff concessions. I welcome the Coalition’s intervention but Ergon is our only choice out here – a provider the State Government owns and uses as a cash cow. At the moment, the State Government doesn’t make sure Queenslanders are on the best possible deal because they’ve got the monopoly on power and that’s why it hasn’t introduced tariff concessions for contry people as we don’t have a provider choice. Instead of targeting high energy prices, Queensland Labor recently blamed farming practises and pensioners for not claiming the discounted rate – a move I label disgusting and totally out-of-touch. How can Labor – in good conscience – milk $1.5 billion from state-owned generators and distributors and let seniors and families doing it tough baulk at turning on an air-conditioned because they’re frightened of the next power bill? It’s absolutely disgusting and it has to stop. The State Government’s 2017-18 Budget forecasted a $1.5 billion windfall over the forward estimates from the state-owned generators – that’s a 110% increase on the dividend contained in the 2015-16 Budget. As rural customers have no choice, we’re also subsidising Qld Labor’s reckless rush to increase renewable energy from 4% to 50%, within 13 years, and I fear this will turn electricity into a luxury that our most vulnerable won’t be able to afford. There are some exciting proposed renewable energy projects in Maranoa but I also believes coal remains a vital part of our state’s baseload system, which should not be replaced with something intermittent and very costly. ■ Your energy retailer has to help so contact them, as soon as possible, because it can offer payment plans and/ or hardship help. ■ Be sure to ask about concessions, rebates, different tariff rates and discounted rates (eg: senior’s discount or if you’re a low income earner). ■ Contact the National Debt helpline on 1300 303 143.

The Nature Conservation (Special Reserves) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 is before parliament and introduces the concept of private National Parks in Queensland. The concept is pitched at foreign environmental organisations and it is obvious that dialogue has taken place to understand what will attract them into supporting these reserves. They are expected to exist in perpetuity. The parks will have all the protections of our present National Parks, one of which is that neighbours livestock can be disposed of in whatever manner management considers appropriate. The private reserve owners, which will often include wealthy multinational owners, will also be eligible for available government funding programs. Property Rights Australia (PRA) sees problems with the concept, not least of all that all the present problems being close to a National Park will be magnified. Without the introduction of a mandatory good neighbour policy and code of conduct, including a ban on the use of firearms and other weaponry, the private reserves, will undoubtedly cause problems for present landowners. The Queensland Law Society has concerns that what the Bill hopes to achieve according to the explanatory notes is not reflected in the legislation. ‘The Queensland Law Society is concerned that the scope of the definition of "State interest" does not relate to wildlife nor to "outstanding conservation value". The drafting effectively allows for the Minister's (essentially unfettered) determination of what might be considered an [any] "economic, environmental community interest".’ This neutral language gives the Minister a broader, rather than a narrower power, to determine when a "special wildlife reserve" should be declared. The Explanatory Notes are misleading in suggesting that the SWR Bill has anything to do with wildlife or "outstanding conservation value" when that is not actually what the SWR Bill permits."’ It is a concern that WWF, in its usual greedy and never satisfied style, submits that rather than just allowing these reserves to evolve as land becomes available, the government should have a list of target properties. They should then approach the leaseholders and ask them to volunteer a private reserve. It is only a short step from there for leaseholders being pressured to hand over portions of their leases for a private reserve. WWF also reiterate their usual fortress conservation position, that ‘Livestock grazing must be specifically prohibited in the proposed SWRs and also on national parks.’ In 2004 the Productivity Commission recognised, with reference to the Vegetation Management Act, that a relatively small portion of the community was expected to bear the cost of community expectations with respect to the environment. This Bill continues with the skewed philosophy that the capacity for rural businesses to absorb, not just direct cost and red and green tape, but productivity sapping fires, ferals and preditors is limitless. PRA’s submission can be found at

Funding is now open for food producers looking to export overseas GRANTS of up to $100,000 are available for Queensland food producers looking to break into new overseas markets or boost theirexport earnings. Agriculture and Regional Economic Development Minister Bill Byrne said the grants were part of the Palaszczuk government’s commitment to stimulate jobs and economic growth in rural and regional areas. The first round of funding is now open, with concept proposals due no later than Thursday, October 5. Successful applicants will then be invited to submit a full application by December 1. The program will provide matched funding of up to $100,000 (minimum of $50,000) over two years per eligible project. Applicants must co-contribute at least 50% of the total funds required. Co-contributions can include up to half the value of in-kind contributions, including freight costs, product and reasonable salary costs for key personnel. There will be a second funding round in July 2018. A DAF program manager is available to discuss proposals. Producers who would like to know more can phone 13 25 23 or email GQFE@daf.qld.gov.au.

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/committees/AEC/2017/rpt40-NatureConserv/submissions/18.pdf

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PRA warns against bill amendment JOANNE REA Chairman - Property Rights Australia

DAVID LITTLEPROUD Federal Member for Maranoa

OPINION

IN THE NEWS

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, September 21, 2017

Bull ring strengthens industry

Important investment in downs agriculture A NEW, $50,000 purpose-built bull ring was unveiled at the Dalby Regional Saleyards earlier this month. The ring’s inaugural charity bull sale was held there on Wednesday, September 6, to help raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, with half of the sale proceeds being donated to this vital community organisation. Western Downs Regional Council Spokesperson for Council Facilities, Councillor Ray Brown said the new bull ring would introduce a new era of sales and markets to the Western Downs. Cr Brown said WDRC was passionate and active when it came to strengthening its agriculture industry. "We're serious about opening up more opportunities for producers to use our state-of-the-art Saleyards, and by building a permanent bull sale ring we're continuing to add to the strength of our agriculture industry here on the Western Downs," he said. Spokesperson for Western Downs Santa Group, Frank Ashman thanked Council and the Queensland Government for their support in delivering a dedicated bull ring for the region. "This new bull ring is good for the Dalby district and the beef industry in general,” Mr Ashman said. “Both Council and the State Government have been so

◗ MAKING IT HAPPEN : WDRC Spokesperson for Council Facilities Cr Ray Brown, with Spokesperson for the Western Downs Santa Group Frank Ashman and his wife Lynn Ashman. PHOTO: Contributed

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IN THE NEWS

Heroes remembered forever

Museum upgrade to preserve history

◗ Work to preserve the stories of the district's wartime heroes is well and truly under way at the Miles Historical Village War Museum, with $100,000 upgrade set to be finished by the end of the year. PHOTO: JULIA BAKER

WORK to preserve the stories of the district's wartime heroes is well and truly under way at the Miles Historical Village War Museum, with a $100,000 upgrade set to be finished by the end of the year. Volunteers are spending countless hours sifting through more than 3000 items in the museum's current collection, while consultants from Timeline Heritage work to reinterpret the museum's themes and displays to best tell how war impacted rural communities. "The consultants have now done a floor plan, conceptual plan about the layout of the building, and the collection and interpretation themes have been set,” museum president Kylie Bourne said. The lengthy process has been helped along by Miles resident and World War Two Veteran Eric Geldard who pays regular visits to the museum to share his personal war time stories. 92-year-old Mr Geldard was instrumental in establishing the war museum in the early 1980s and it has not undergone a major transformation since. The reinterpretation project - What War Meant To Miles: Heroes, Hardships and Heartfelt Stories - will focus on wartime experiences in Miles and surrounding districts. Mrs Bourne said the project will enable presentation of significant objects in a way which engages audiences and allows them to appreciate how war impacted rural communities. "Certainly, it will be an outstanding war museum collection and I don't know too many regional museums that have a war museum like we do,” she said. "People will be able to walk away with an understanding of what war meant to regional communities told through the lens of Miles... it had a profound impact at the time.” Mrs Bourne said while the museum had an outstanding collection of objects and military artefacts it hoped to acquire more war-time correspondence for the project. "Documents relevant to enlisted service personnel that reside or have resided in the former Murilla Shire area,” she said. "What we'd love is if there is anyone out there with photos or letters or original documentation that we can scan to add to the collection...that would be amazing.”

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IN THE NEWS

◗ Australia’s total winter crop production is forecast to decrease 39%, but still remain above the 10-year average to 2015-16.

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, September 21, 2017

PHOTO: FILE

Decrease expected in yields

Cropping forecasts drop sharply FOLLOWING exceptionally high crop yields in 2016-17, Australia’s total winter crop production is forecast to decrease 39% but still remain above the 10-year average to 2015-16. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce said the latest forecast, released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, demonstrated the impact variable weather conditions was having on Australia’s cropping regions. “Australia is a big country with a variable climate and highly

fluctuating rainfall, so it is unrealistic to expect that all of our crops will be growing well at all times,” Mr Joyce said. “According to the latest ABARES forecast, we will see a 39% drop in total winter crop production to 36.3 million tonnes as a result of mixed seasonal conditions. “What we have to remember though is this forecast dip is coming off the back of Australia’s biggest winter crop on record last season at over 59.3 million tonnes, and yields are forecast to remain above the 10-year average to 2015-16.”

Mr Joyce said farmers had experienced below average and highly variable rainfall during winter in most Australian cropping regions, which had adversely affected crop condition in some of Australia’s key cropping regions. However crops are in generally good condition going into spring in Victoria, eastern South Australia, southern and eastern New South Wales and southern Western Australia. The September 2017 edition of Australian Crop Report is available online at www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/publications.

IN THE NEWS

Thursday, September 21, 2017 suratbasin.com.au

Armed with information

CSG workshops help landholders WITH more than half of all landholders with coal seam gas projects under way on their land unhappy with their agreements, it pays to know as much as you can before signing on the dotted line. That was the message from Daniel Phipps, Agforce CSG project leader, in the wake of landholder workshops at Roma and Chinchilla. Mr Phipps said about 45 landholders attended the two workshops, part of a series on advanced negotiation, to share experiences and learn more about the process of nutting out an agreement with CSG companies. He said there was a range of common problems people had once they were locked into their agreement, including biosecurity issues, dust and other environmental factors, gas in bore water supplies and the time spent on ensuring compliance among CSG employees and contractors. Complaints about CSG projects were racking up, but he was uncertain if that was due to increased problems or simply a case of farmers becoming more aware of their rights. Whatever the case, Mr Phipps said the Queensland Government was pushing to open up more land to CSG projects and predicted it would lead to up to 20,000 more wells on

◗ PERFECT PLANNING: AgForce CSG project leader Daniel Phipps urged landholders to know as much as they can before signing on the dotted line. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

farmland across the state. That made it high time for many producers to look into the finer points of legal negotiation, and Mr Phipps said talking to other producers was the best way to get started. “We have some really good discussions,” he said. “These (workshops) provide landholders with the opportunity to share their experiences with negotiations –what they’ve seen or what has worked for them.” He said the complexity of agreements had grown along with the number of wells and people tended to be overly focussed on money rather than potential impacts. “Currently what we’re commonly seeing is people focussing too much on compensation,” Mr Phipps said. “It’s very easy to get too focussed on the money and not to focus or give as much importance to behaviour. “One of the emerging issues is weed control and biosecurity.”

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He described a recent dispute between a landholder and a CSG company where both parties were in disagreement about a weed outbreak. The landholder asserted it was due to the CSG company employees or contractors not following biosecurity protocols when entering the property, while the CSG company said it was more likely workers had simply spread seeds that were already on the property in a dormant state. He said there were yet to be any good results from test cases to determine future direction but it paid to really put thought into potential impacts of all kinds when adding to a standard conduct and compensation agreement. He said another logical thing for producers to do was add in review clauses so changes could legally be made if unforeseen problems began cropping up.

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PLACES AND FACES

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, September 21, 2017

◗ Tansey vs Chinchilla semi final, state polocrosse championships provided and exciting spectacle. PHOTO: JULIA BAKER

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◗ Danica Thumm and Madison Hogan, and the polocrosse championships, Chinchilla,

◗ Lindsey Doolan in action.

◗ Ben Cuzens and Morgan Webb enjoyed the competition.

PHOTOS: JULIA BAKER

◗ Charlie Murname, Charlie, Chloe and Beau Schnitzerling, polocrosse championships, Chinchilla. PHOTO: JULIA BAKER

◗ David Trail from Wandoan was hard at work all tournament. PHOTO: JULIA BAKER

◗ Jess Taylor, Gianna Kelly and Rachael Wilson from Tara take a break from the action. PHOTO: JULIA BAKER

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Thursday, September 21, 2017 suratbasin.com.au

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◗ Brook Pobar, Jannette Pobar, Shane Trail are all smiles at the state competition.

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◗ Tansey vs Chinchilla semi final was a great contest and had spectators on the edge of their seats thanks to the great athletic displays.

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DOWN TO BUSINESS

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Surat Basin News Published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd 12 Mayne Street, Chinchilla, Q 4413 Printed by APN Print Warwick General manager: Erika Brayshaw

Pick of the crop

Cotton Growers’ recognised MORE than 350 people in the cotton industry gathered at the Dalby Showgrounds on Friday, September 8 to celebrate the past 12 months. The Darling Downs Cotton Growers Awards have been running for more than 20 years. Awards organiser Geoff McIntyre said the evening always proved a hit for farmers as well as their families. “It went really well, it was a good night and everyone enjoyed themselves,” Mr McIntyre said. “We were busy the whole time, it was quite hectic but great fun.” Not only is the function about recognising people who have had an outstanding 12 months and catching up with old friends, it provides a chance for individuals to network and share knowledge. “It’s good because everyone can share information around with each other, so it’s helpful in that sense as well,” Mr McIntyre said. “It’s satisfying getting together and celebrating the season and people who have done well over the past year.” Steve and Jacob Little took out the ANZ Highest Irrigated Yield Award with 14.82b/ha this year, while Scott and Mitchell Seis collected the ANZ Highest Dryland Yield Award. The Greg McVeigh Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Yield went to Damien Ebbern, while Sam Lee went home with the Dalby Rural Supplies Young Achiever Award and Greg and Maryann Bender took out the Vanderfield Grower of the Year Award. The Darling Downs Cotton Growers are currently working on a field day to be held at the Benders property.

◗ ALL SMILES: SCRUBBED UP: Dalby Rural Supplies’ Andrew Johnston presents the Young Achiever Award to Sam Lee. PHOTO: ANGE STIRLING

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