By JONATHON HOWARD
SPILL CAPTION: A map of the Southern Downs Regional Council area which includes more than 4000 hectares of some of Queensland’s richest agricultural land.
SOUTHERN Downs’ horticultural production is worth almost $300 million at wholesale and is almost twice as large as Lockyer Valley production, according to a startling new agricultural industry report.
The report was commissioned by the Economic Development Unit of the Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC), and was recently presented by from Orchard Services of Stanthorpe consultant Stephen Tancred.
The report highlighted horticultural as the largest part of the Southern Downs economy and the requirements of significant inputs including labour and a diverse horticultural crop. It found that the 4210 hectares of production by 277 horticultural producers in the Southern Downs is valued at $299.86 million in the wholesale market.
The vegetable industry is the largest industry by area and value with 2095 hectares of vegetables grown, with 85 per cent of this area comprising brassicas, lettuce, beans, fresh cut baby leaf, tomatoes, capsicums and heavy vegetables.
Over 1446 hectares of orchard crops are grown, with the main being apples, followed by stonefruit, with some small areas of pears, persimmons, figs and olives making up the balance.
Some 481 hectares of wine grapes and 23 hectares of table grapes are grown in the region by some 97 producers.
“Accurate and current horticultural statistics are a vital tool for Regional Councils to plan and allocate resources and interact with State and Federal agencies,” Mr Tancred said.
“This report will also provide a resource for a whole range of agencies and consultants conducting future.”
Mayor Peter Blundell said the report would provide council with an improved understanding of the scale and scope of the region’s agricultural industries.
“This important research fills in some of the gaps in our knowledge and assists us to understand the important contribution the industry makes regionally and our strategic role in domestic food production,” Cr Blundell said.
“Having this information will also assist Council in our negotiations with State and Federal governments and will provide us with a strong basis for identifying opportunities for value adding and investment attraction.”
