Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, the Hon David Littleproud MP
Member for Capricornia, the Hon Michelle Landry
A new drought resilience shopfront in Rockhampton will support farmers and communities in Tropical North Queensland to better prepare for future droughts.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the new Fitzroy node of the Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub would be a place farmers can come learn about the tools, practices and technologies that will help get their businesses ready for drought.
“The Hub brings together researchers, farmers, agricultural businesses, and rural communities to work together to build drought resilience and agricultural productivity by adopting innovation,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The Hub’s core site is at James Cook University in Cairns with ‘nodes’ (or shopfronts) in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Gulf Savannah, Fitzroy, Burdekin, and Mackay and the Whitsundays.
“TNQ Hub partner, the Fitzroy Basin Association, will host the new Fitzroy node in Rockhampton, where Basin farmers can get help to adopt innovative practices supported by the Hub.
“The Fitzroy node also allows Hub leaders to better understand what Basin farmers need to become more drought resilient and work with them to improve their practices and use of technology ahead of drought.”
The TNQ Hub is one of eight nationally with over 40 ‘node’ locations.
“The Hubs are part of the forward-thinking Future Drought Fund, a long term, sustained investment of $100 million each year to build drought preparedness,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Drought is part of the Australian landscape, and the Hubs play a critical role in helping farmers and agricultural communities to be better prepared.”
“I encourage local farmers and the community to ask for support from the Fitzroy node to address their challenges now, before the next dry.”
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the hub’s new Fitzroy shopfront supports building the drought resilience and productivity of farmers and communities in the Fitzroy Basin.
“It is fantastic that the Australian Government and the Fitzroy Basin Association are working proactively together to provide a valuable service for the region,” Ms Landry said
“The Fitzroy node is a place farmers can come learn about the tools, practices and technologies that will help their business get ready for drought.”
“The Fitzroy node also allows hub leaders to better understand what Basin farmers need to become more drought resilient-and work with them to improve their practices and use of technology ahead of drought.”
Fast Facts:
- The TNQ Hub led by James Cook University is one of eight Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs across regional Australia funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund
- The Australian Government is investing $8 million in the Hub over four years, with $18.5 million in contributions from Hub partners, including the Fitzroy Basin Association.
- Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs are part of the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
