The Hon. Tony Perrett, Minister for Primary Industries (Qld), Media Release, 27 May 2026

The Crisafulli Government is delivering $300,000 to support two local agronomy projects, helping shore up the future of agriculture in Far North Queensland after the local collapse of sugar cane when the Mossman Mill closed in 2024.   

The funding – part of an election commitment by the Crisafulli Government – will be provided through the Mossman Transition Plan which was set up to support the community’s transition away from sugar following the mill’s closure. 

It’s just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future and bolstering the resilience of farming in Mossman, providing vital support to local growers and assisting them future proof their operations. 

$150,000 will be invested into establishing the viability of a soybean processing facility and intensive livestock project, led by Dairy Farmers Milk Co-operative. 

The Dairy Farmers Milk Co-operative project will evaluate development of a soybean processing facility to supply local protein feed for Far North Queensland’s dairy, poultry, and beef industries, with value-added opportunities.   

Another $150,000 has been allocated to the Far Northern Queensland Rice Industry project, led by the Tropical Agri Food Industry Network.  

This project will see producer-led trials of new varieties of rice better adapted to conditions in Mossman and builds on work already completed to evaluate the agronomics, markets, processing, supply chain logistics, and feasibility of large-scale tropical rice production in Far North Queensland.  

In 2024 before the election, we stood shoulder to shoulder with growers and promised we had their backs, committing more than $12 million to help the region after the mill went into liquidation.  

In the two years following, the Crisafulli Government has been working closely with the community, led by local MP David Kempton to ensure the local’s voices are heard. 

Of the $12 million, $6 million was used to help industry to transport the 2025 crop to Gordonvale, and $6 million remained for investment into the regional industry and the community. 

During Labor’s decade of decline, rural communities underpinned by agriculture like Mossman received insufficient support, overbearing regulation and opportunities for prosperity were left to wither on the vine.   

The Mossman Advisory Committee has recommended funding these priority projects as they offer job creation, economic diversification and growth. 

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the Crisafulli Government was delivering for the Mossman community. 

“There is a bright future for agriculture in Mossman and finding diverse options like these are key to the region’s long-term recovery and prosperity,” Minister Perrett said. 

“For so long, the far north of our State has been equated with the sugar industry, but we now have an opportunity to diversify economically and develop concepts that can be prosperous for the community, delivering jobs and security.” 

“I’m looking forward to the results of these projects, as well as existing on-ground research into coffee and cocoa, and remain optimistic that diverse and promising opportunities await,” he said. 

Member for Cook and Chair of the Mossman Advisory Committee David Kempton said the trials would give farmers confidence the Crisafulli Government remained committed to working alongside them. 

“While the road has been uncertain and difficult for farming families in Mossman and Douglas, we have a rare opportunity to redesign our future with expert resources focused on creating a prosperous, agricultural community,” Mr Kempton said. 

“There is no single ‘quick-fix’ crop to replace cane – diversification will be essential even though the final mix of viable crops is still emerging. 

“The Mossman Advisory Committee is backing a range of new crop trials and funding initiatives to provide growers with greater certainty about their future.  

“Additional trials are also underway into the suitability of coffee, cocoa, sorghum, rice and bana grass are all under consideration.”  

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