Support TTNQ Food & Wine Experience

 Great News!  TTNQ will soon be launching a new website with a dedicated “food & wine” experience page.  This is the time for you to become members.

In our region, if you are not directly involved in the tourism industry, you are probably supporting it or being supported by it.   Therefore membership supports you, your industry and the region.

What’s more there is a new level of membership; a supporting member at $350.00.  Have a look at TTNQ Prospectus for membership benefits

ttnq-membership-prospectus-0910
ttnq-membership-application-form 
ttnq-membership-payment-form

With a boost in membership from the Food Tourism sector, the new ‘Food & Wine’ experience web page will look great.

www.tropicalaustralia.com.au

Check out what a local had to say  about supporting the tourism industry  ttnq-support-member-article

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RIRDC Rural Women’s Award

Come on Girls!

The 2010 RIRDC Rural Women’s award opens again on August 1 with a $10,000 bursary prize for the winner.

Rural women are encouraged to enter themselves or nominate someone they think is up to a new and exciting challenge.

The Award celebrates rural women and their contributions to primary industries. It gives rural women the chance to discover their strengths and build their capacity to contribute to primary industries and rural Australia. But just as importantly the Award opens up a positive and powerful network of liked minded women across the country that are passionate about primary industries and rural Australia.

Applications close on World Rural Women’s Day-15th October 2009.
For more information contact RIRDC on (02) 6271 4100 or go to the website for download of the Application Brochure and Entry Form at http://www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au

If you know of anyone in your industry who could benefit from this award process please encourage them to apply in the coming months and forward the attached document to them – alternatively just get them to phone Kaye Nunan at Queensland Government Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries directly on 07 32393254.

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NSDA Art & Craft Market

The NSDA is Launching an Art & Craft Market on the 22nd of August. The Market will operate weekly on Saturdays from 7:30am to 2:00pm in the Governor’s Wing at the Atrium of The Pier alongside the Farmgate Market.

This is in response to the many requests received from local artists wishing to attend Farmgate.

If you would like to be a stallholder please contact Imeea Svanosio, on Ph/Fax: (07) 4055 2195 Mobile:  0423 277 212 or  market@nsda.org.au

For more information click here for the NSDA Art & Craft Market Stallholders Information Kit and booking form which can be completed to book a market site.

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Calling All Tropical Fruit Growers

Help Develop Your Industry

 

TROPICAL fruit growers in North Queensland and the Northern Territory are being urged to contribute to a strategic plan that will accelerate the growth of the exotic fruit industry.

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said the project especially targets producers of rambutan, mangosteen, durian, jackfruit, sapote and abiu.

“The Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) and Tropical Exotic Fruit Australia (TEFA) are spearheading this 18-month project,” he said.

“These fruits, so far worth more than $10m annually to the Queensland and Northern Territory economies, are considered to have the highest commercial prospects as their popularity grows.

“The exotic fruit industry is relatively young but with support could potentially become a significant contributor to Queensland’s economy.

“We had just begun developing this plan three years ago when Cyclone Larry came along and had a dreadful impact on the orchards.

“Producers are now back on their feet and TEFA is keen to set the direction for future research, development and marketing.

Mr Mulherin said there was potential to strengthen the industry, develop profitable supply chains and improve production and marketing.

“To do this we need to update existing strategies and to develop a cyclone risk strategy,” he said.

“Input for the strategic planning project will come from growers across the North of Australia, including Queensland and the Northern Territory.”

QPIF regional industries development officer Yan Diczbalis said QPIF and TEFA needed to develop a database of tree numbers.

“We need a more accurate estimate of industry value, and really focus on the fruit at the forefront of commercialisation,” he said.

“This will help the industry to identify thei r major crops and predict production levels for the coming years.

“The project will allow supply chain participants – wholesalers, providers, specialist tropical exotic fruit retailers and restaurants – to meet with growers and improve the use and promotion of tropical exotic fruit.

“Currently, most product is supplied to domestic markets but we will also be looking at export market opportunities.”

Mr Diczbalis said an important part of the plan would be to develop a cyclone risk and protection strategy to minimise the kind of devastation seen in 2006.

“Cyclone Larry derailed our first attempt to launch this project,” he said.

“But we are confident producers are now in a stronger position to firmly establish their industry and increase its profitability.”

TEFA president and far north Queensland producer Mark Gray is calling on all exotic tropical fruit producers to participate in the development of the strategic plan.

” You don’t have to be a member of TEFA to participate-the project aims to benefit the whole industry,” he said.

“We will be surveying producers for production capability and their vision for the future of tropical exotic fruit production.”

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation is co-funding the project.

Producers wishing to participate should contact:
• Mr Diczbalis, QPIF, South Johnstone (07) 4064 1128
• Mark Gray, TEFA president, Queensland, 0448 167 813
• Kerry Eupene, TEFA, Northern Territory, (08) 8981 9703.

 

 

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Q150 – At Our Table Market Feast

A Market Feast, The TANKS Arts Centre, Cairns
6 September 2009 

For more information: at-our-table-market-feast

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Agri-Tourism – The New Cash Crop

 

The Federal Government wants to boost agri-tourism and food tourism from a cottage industry in an
effort to help farmers earn more.

A review by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, to be completed by the end of the
year, is examining ways farm-based tourism including working farms, wineries, farmers’ markets and farm stays can expand.

The review examined 10 areas around Australia, including two in Queensland: the state’s tropical north and the Darling Downs.

A spokeswoman for the federal Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, said: “It is important because it
gives food, wine and fibre producers a way to diversify their businesses and find new sources of revenue. It helps farmers to survive challenges such as the drought and climate change and taps into the trend of more city dwellers wanting to understand where their food comes from.

“Initial report findings showed that, while agri-tourism is still in its infancy, it has potential to expand.

The report noted that establishing a food tourism business could be risky and required regional support. It also said farmers needed to be encouraged to take the initiative to become involved in food tourism.

However, as is the case in countries such as France and Italy, integrating agriculture and tourism can build a stronger regional identity.
http://www.daff.gov.au/maff/media/media_releases/2009/march/rudd_government_launches_agricultural_tourism_project

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Gary Mehigan Cooks Up Our Tropical Regional Produce

Foodie events in Tropical North Queensland have reached celebrity status this year with charismatic chef Gary Mehigan, best known as the judge from TV’s Masterchef, flying in to showcase the best of our seasonal, regional foods with a free cooking demonstration at Farmgate Markets , as well as a celebrity chef luncheon at the Sebel Reef House , with a menu of Gary’s creation, to be held during the “Taste of Palm Cove” event, Sunday 23 August.

 

Saturday 22 August:  Farmgate Market  9:30am & 11:00am – Free to public
For more information go to Festival Cairns website

Sunday   23 August:    The Sebel Reef House Palm Cove  12:00 – 3:00pm. Bookings essential – T 4055 3633
For more information:  go to Festival Cairns website

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One Planning Scheme for the Tablelands

Preliminary Community Engagement

The Tablelands Regional Council has commenced on the drafting of their new planning scheme. To alert the community and invite their views and ideas about this important project, they will be running a series of public uk payday loans workshops across the region in eleven different centres.

With the community’s advice and guidance, they seek to develop a framework for managing urban and regional development in the Tablelands which is sustainable, transparent and fair.

For mor informaion: tablelands-regional-council-posters

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Next Gen Expo

Investing In The Future Of TNQ

There’s never been a more important time to make an investment in the future generations of business leaders in this region. Click here for an invitation to the Next Gen Expo, it’s a fantastic initiative and your encouraged to register, send your staff and share the invitation with your contacts. The more we can motivate people with events like this, the greater the positive impact it will have on our region.

Date:    Wednesday 29th July 2009
    
Who should attend?    Anyone who would like an insight into the next generation of business leaders!

Venue:      Hilton Cairns   34 Esplanade, Cairns
  
Time:      7:30am Registration – event runs for a full day

More information:  http://online.aimqld.com.au/default.asp?PageID=5&eventID=1206

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Award for Innovation in New and Emerging Industries

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