Mackay Sugar recently held a community planning workshop to address community concerns associated with the transportation of Tablelands cane to Mossman Mill via the Mount Molloy and Julatten townships.

The workshop, held in Mareeba, brought together community representatives from Mount Molloy and Julatten and representatives from Qube Logistics (Mackay Sugar’s transport supplier), Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR), Queensland Police and Mackay Sugar.

Mackay Sugar’s Chief Executive Officer, Quinton Hildebrand, said feedback from the workshop’s participants has indicated the workshop was a productive process for all involved.

“During the workshop, participants explored community concerns associated with the cane transportation activity and identified potential solutions for each of these concerns.

“The information gathered at the workshop will assist Mackay Sugar to develop a transportation strategy that takes these concerns into account.

“The workshop also established a stronger communication link between all involved parties and highlighted that there is a genuine commitment from Mackay Sugar, Qube, DTMR and Queensland Police to make the transportation activity as safe as possible for the Mount Molloy and Julatten communities,” Mr Hildebrand said.

The Newsport readers have also voiced their opinions, submitting Letters to Editor questioning the safety and viability of plans to transport the Tablelands cane to Mossman.

Among them, Forest Creek resident Geoff Henderson who suggested perhaps a post-crush liquid alternative could be more viable.

“There have been several letters written that draw attention to the heavy cost to the community and infrastructure caused by hundreds of truck movements, and the mill operating 24/7 over the crush period. I have to agree that there seems little merit in the trucking option,” he said.

See more letters to the editor here.

Mackay Sugar’s next planning workshop is scheduled to occur early next year and will involve a review of the actions identified for implementation under the cane transportation strategy.

A community information session is also expected to be held in April next year, providing the Mount Molloy and Julatten communities an opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the planning workshops. 

Road movement of 700,000 tonnes of cane between the Atherton Tablelands and the Mossman mill is expected to start next May.

Read related article:

• 'Mossman Mill to reach capacity' - April 19, 2013.