“It is about developing a state of the art processing facility which will produce sustainable environmental friendly products, and a Bio Precinct which will attract more people and businesses to the area,” she said.

“It will create new jobs, secure existing employment, support growth and development, and put an end to the uncertainty which has surrounded the sugar industry in Mossman for some time.”

FNM – comprising a group of Tableland and Mossman growers – have signed a transaction agreement with Mackay Sugar and are currently working through a number of conditions which need to be met and completed before the option to buy is exercised

“We acknowledge that the sugar industry has struggled with fluctuating sugar prices, which have caused many challenges for the industry, especially Mossman Mill. This is due to higher road transport costs which reduces income for both growers and the mill.

“We have welcomed the assistance from the Douglas Shire Council to assist along with growers from Tableland and Mossman who have committed sufficient funds to cover the costs of the due diligence,” said Ms Salvetti.

Douglas Shire Council has approved a payment of up to $250,000 to help with the transition, and to support the plans to create a ‘Daintree Bio Precinct’ to tap into renewable energy opportunities and create valuable by-products at a processing facility adjacent to the mill.

“As a commercial grower group, we see the opportunity in buying Mossman Mill so that we can control our own destiny by moving away from the traditional sugar production for export markets to higher valued products which will secure the long term future of the Mill and provide prosperity and longevity to the Mossman Community,” said Ms Salvetti.

The FNM Board is currently meeting with all stakeholders to work through the CP’s and secure the funding necessary to bring this project to reality.

This will no doubt be welcome news to Mossman and surrounding areas. A Newsport reader recently expressed concern that if the Mossman Mill did close, Mossman would shut down, adding it is already struggling.

In the 2016 census, there were 442 fully employed in Mossman, 268 were working part-time, 60 away from work and 58 unemployed. Under the Industry of Employment section, 38 were working in sugar manufacturing, which equates to 5.3% of the population.  

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