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The Launch of Fertilizer Industry Eco-efficiency Agreement was held in Cairns and surrounds on 30 October 2003, in conjunction with the launch of the Canegrowers Eco-efficiency Agreement. The launch was a big success and FIFA received very positive feedback from the Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage, the Hon Dr David Kemp MP. He emphasised the significance of the commitments made by the Fertilizer Industry under the Agreement, and was impressed and grateful for the efforts we made in staging such an informative launch. The minister gave a commitment in his speech to publicise to the wider community the good work that FIFA and Canegrowers are doing.
Participants
The number of people at the launch varied a little during the day, and was around 35, including: the Minister; Mayor of Cairns; Peter McEwen, David Ford, Paul Loder and John Lloyd from the FIFA Board, Nick Drew and Martin Shafron from FIFA, Neil Henry from AFSA, industry colleagues (particularly from Incitec Pivot); Canegrower representatives; and media representatives.
Program
The launch commenced at 10.00am at the Incitec Pivot plant in Cairns. John Lloyd welcomed the Minister and guests, Andrew Chapman explained the features of the plant and following refreshments, IP staff led tours around the plant – focussing on environment protection features. Particularly impressive was the management of storm water on the site, with all off site releases monitored and controlled. The nutrients in wash-down and process water is all re-used into agricultural application.
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The group then boarded a coach to the sugarcane farm of Tom and Gaynor Watters near Gordonvale, about 20km south of Cairns. We were welcomed by Bob Rossi, Chairman of the Mulgrave Mill Supply Committee, and then shown around the site. Tom’s family has been growing cane for more than 60 years and he has put in place a number of sustainable farming practices, including: crop rotation; green-trash blanketing; fertiliser spreader calibration; stream-bank protection; and constructed silt traps. It was an inspiring example of how simple management practices can minimise the risk of adverse environmental impacts.
After the farm, we travelled to the town of Gordonvale where the Mulgrave Sugar Mill is located. We were welcomed by Ray McDowell, General Manager of Mulgrave Mill Cooperative Ltd, and then heard speeches (in order) from Alf Cristaudo – Vice Chairman of Canegrowers, Peter McEwen – Chairman of FIFA, and the Hon Dr David Kemp MP.
A copy of Peter McEwen’s speech and a selection of photographs from all stages of the launch can be viewed by clicking on the links.
Media
There was significant media interest in the launch and photographs, film, interviews, reports and recordings were undertaken by ABC radio, The Australian newspaper, WIN TV news, Cairns Post, and Rural Business magazine.
Acknowledgements
The launch was overseen by an organising committee comprising: Nick Drew and Martin Shafron (FIFA); Diana Dawson, Chris Walker and Tim Wrigley (Canegreowers); and Jenny Gilbert and Garry Kuhn (Incitec Pivot). Many thanks are also due to the Incitec Pivot staff in Cairns, particularly Paul Rylewski, the Watters family and our hosts at Mulgrave Mill, particularly Christine Hancock from Mulgrave Canegrowers. |
