General News
17 October, 2025
Mossman cane season to be the last
THE current cane crushing season for Mossman growers will be the last.
After the town’s mill closed in 2024, the Queensland Government backed growers with millions of dollars to transport their cane from Mossman to the Mulgrave mill.
Now growers and processors have been unable to reach a commercial agreement beyond 2025.
In 2024 the government promised more than $12 million to assist the region transition to an alternative after Mossman’s cane processing mill was no longer viable, with $6m to transport the 2025 crop to Gordonvale, with the further $6m to be invested in the regional industry.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the government’s “commitment to support the Mossman canegrowers remains steadfast and unchanged with a further $6 m remaining on the table for a longer-term solution, to be worked out with the growers, local government and the Mossman community”.
“We are listening to the community on how government can best assist with targeted transitional support,” he said.
“In addition to working on transportation, the government has been working on alternative crop trials and agronomy studies, and this will continue.
“We will continue to work with growers, supporting them and their community’s future.”
Member for Cook David Kempton said the government would “continue to work with growers, the community, local government and the industry to find a solution to matters raised”.
MSF Sugar’s head of cane supply Mark Magnanini thanked the government for enabling $34m worth of Mossman region cane to be processed in the two years since the mill closed.
“The State Government’s support for the growers stranded by Mossman Mill’s closure has been outstanding, we gratefully acknowledge the efforts of the Government, Mossman growers, Bray’s Transport and the grower organisations have made to sustain the sugar industry in Mossman since the mill closure,” he said.
Mossman Canegrowers chairman Matt Watson said it was disappointing a commercial solution that was of benefit for all parties couldn’t be reached, “however remain determined to work with the Crisafulli government, the local council and others to find a way forward for growers and the agricultural industry in the Shire.
“We managed to get a couple of years grace, but there is still a lot of work ahead of us,” he said.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said in the wake of the Mossman Mill’s closure early last year, many local farmers had already begun considering a shift away from cane.
“(The) council will continue to stand beside our cane farmers, advocating for their needs and supporting them as they explore new crops and future opportunities,” she said.
"Douglas Shire has a proud agricultural heritage and we remain committed to supporting farmers in continuing that tradition”.
