The Chairman of Mackay Sugar’s recently formed Community Working Group (CWG) resigned on Tuesday, just three weeks after his appointment, citing what he described as some in the group “maintaining what seems to be an entrenched and aggressive stance”.

The Managing Director of Queensland Corporate Communications Network (QCCN), one of the state's top corporate communications firms, David Donohue was appointed to the position by Group members at their inaugural meeting in Mount Molloy on 26 August.

As The Newsport reported earlier this month,the CWG was formed as a local committee, in part to resolve safe and sustainable methods in transporting Atherton Tablelands sugar cane to the Mossman Mill.

In his letter of resignation, Mr Donohue said he strongly believed that “the only way that the CWG will achieve anything of benefit for the residents they represent is to work constructively with all of the other parties involved to find sustainable solutions rather than maintaining what seems to be an entrenched and aggressive stance.”

He also said that “unless the CWG changes its approach, I fear that nothing meaningful will be gained for the community.”

At the August 26 meeting, CWG members Dennis Rose, Lorne Cubit, Juliet Skinner, Loretta Zammataro, Martina Leiter, Rupert Russell, Tablelands Regional Council Division 1 Councillor Gaye Taylor, and Member for Cook David Kempton selected Mr Donohue as the independent chairperson from a shortlist of candidates. 

As The Newsport reported at the time, Mr Donohue was appointed in recognition of his extensive stakeholder relations experience and proven ability in chairing similar groups. 

Mackay Sugar Communications Manager Lorelei van Dalen said she was extremely disappointed with the outcome and that Mackay Sugar is now considering its options for the CWG.

“This is not a situation that can be addressed by simply replacing the chairperson; David Donohue brought an extensive background in community consultation to the CWG, so we must also consider the contributing factors behind his withdrawal from the CWG,” Ms van Dalen said.

The CWG was formed as part of Mackay Sugar’s community consultation process associated with the announcement on April 17 regarding Mackay Sugar and Tableland Canegrowers Limited entering into Cane Supply Agreements with cane growers on the Atherton Tablelands. The partnership will result in approximately 700,000 tonnes of cane being supplied from the Atherton Tablelands to Mackay Sugar’s Mossman Mill from May 2014.