Bipartisan support crucial to mill’s future: Mayor
MOSSMAN MILL
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THE fight to save the Mossman Mill looks set to become deeply political.
Labor Senator Kim Carr met with Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu, Leichhardt candidate Elida Faith and Mossman and Tablelands canegrowers yesterday in Mossman.
Senator Carr said he backed a push for a bio processing plant to be built at the Mossman site, but Mayor Leu said bipartisan support was crucial to the mill's future.
“The Coalition Government is well aware of the potential consequences of the mill closing and has the perfect opportunity here to show us they undeniably care about agriculture and regional communities in the Far North," Mayor Leu said.
“The Daintree Bio Precinct is a fiscally sound project that will lead the way for industry diversification of the Australian Sugar Industry.
“This clean and green vision will create a vibrant bio refinery to grow an environmentally sustainable manufacturing industry in Douglas Shire.”
Canegrowers will also meet with Council, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch in Cairns on Monday.
Senator Carr called on Mr McCormack to back the proposal when he lands in the region.
He said 'blue-collar jobs' were vital to the economy of Far North Queensland.
“There are 100 jobs at the mill involved, there are many growers who depend on this facility,” Carr, who is also the Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, said yesterday.
“The current company that runs it has run into considerable difficulties, and I want to make sure they are not repeated. I want to make sure that we can secure the future so I’m prepared to back it if the feasibility study comes in.
“I will put the argument to the colleagues in Canberra. We can’t afford to lose manufacturing in the region. We’ve got to make sure the economy here is diversified."
Mackay Sugar agreed to sell the mill to the Far Northern Milling Pty Ltd in July, handing back control of the mill to the Mossman and Tablelands growers.
Council has since stumped up $250,000 to assist with the mill's acquisition, and is holding out for a $20m Federal government grant to build the new bio precinct.
More to come...
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