- Crisafulli Government welcomes new Sugar Research Australia Innovative Research & Industry Services (IRIS) Laboratories.
- Facility houses state-of-the-art technology to drive future advancements in plant breeding, genetics, biosecurity and precision agriculture.
- Growing our sugar industry, valued at $2.5 billion, is crucial to driving an uplift in primary industries production to $30 billion by 2030.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to support Queensland's sugar industry, today joining Sugar Research Australia to officially open its new Innovative Research & Industry Services (IRIS) Laboratories in Brisbane.
The new facility is a one-stop shop for cutting-edge science in the sugar industry, and will be able to generate faster results, enhanced precision and the ability to develop new solutions tailored specifically to the needs of growers and millers.
The Crisafulli Government's $2.8 million investment in Sugar Research Australia (SRA) aims to support the industry through much needed scientific research, development and extension activities.
This investment is crucial to reaching the Crisafulli Government's ambitious goal of growing primary industries to $30 billion by 2030.
Over the last year, Queensland's sugarcane industry produced more than 27 million tonnes of sugarcane from 330,000 hectares of prime agricultural land, with the crop valued at almost $2.5 billion.
Former Labor Governments spent the past decade failing to invest in the growth of primary industries and burdened industry with onerous regulation, which stifled growth.
The opening of the new IRIS Laboratories is in addition to a raft of Crisafulli Government initiatives that back in research and development right across Queensland.
Recent budget includes funding for a purpose-built glasshouse at the Gatton Research Facility and funding to finalise the Master Plan and AgTech Infrastructure Development at Emerald.
The Crisafulli Government is actively working with industry stakeholders to ensure a prosperous future for growers and the future success of the industry. Recent investments include:
- $2.85 million annually to Sugar Research Australia (SRA) for co-investment in targeted research, development and extension activities to benefit the sugarcane industry.
- A combined investment with SRA of up to $32.6 million over 4 years for the future of Australia's sugarcane industry.
- A $500,000 funding package for Canegrowers Queensland will support the development of a Far North Queensland Cane Expansion Plan over 3 years. This plan aims to boost productivity of the sugar industry in the region through integrated research, industry knowledge and grower engagement.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said this investment would deliver Research, Development and Extension activities aimed at improving productivity, profitability and long-term sustainability for sugarcane growers, milling companies and regional communities.
"The Crisafulli Government knows exactly how crucial the sugar industry is to our State's prosperity, and this investment we're making with SRA is testament to our commitment to working alongside industry," Minister Perrett said.
"Many of Queensland's rural and regional communities have been built off the back of sugar, and I'm proud to be investing in the future of this important industry.
"We're supercharging scientifically backed research with this facility at Acacia Ridge which will drive the innovation that the industry needs to become more profitable and better protected from biosecurity threats.
"This investment supports the Primary Industries Prosper 2050 blueprint – our 25-year strategy co-designed with industry to shape the future of Queensland's primary industries and grow Queensland's primary industries output to $30 billion by 2030."
Sugar Research Australia CEO Mick Bartlett said the IRIS Lab was a world class facility that would drive advancements in plant breeding, genetics, cane and fibre quality, disease and pest screening, and soil and nutrient sciences for the Australian sugar industry.
"With support from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Sugar Research Australia is re-imagining ways to accelerate sugarcane genomics, ensuring we can rapidly develop and deploy high-performing, disease-resistant varieties," Mr Bartlett said.
"IRIS Lab is not just about research. It's about shaping the future of the industry, and this facility cements SRA's role as a global leader in sugarcane innovation."
