A drought resilience adoption and innovation hub for Southern Qld and Northern NSW

April 9, 2021

• Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub launches for Southern Qld and Northern NSW

• University of Southern Queensland to drive the uptake of new drought resilience technologies and practices, and build collaboration with stakeholders across the region
• An $8 million Australian Government investment, with $11m contribution from Hub members
• This is one of eight Hubs to be established around the country through the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.

Maranoa communities of Longreach, Roma and Stanthorpe will have a key role to play in boosting drought preparedness in Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales with the opening of a Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub for the region.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the Southern Qld and Northern NSW Hub is one of eight hubs across the country to be established that will support development and uptake of innovative technologies and practices that improve drought resilience.

The Hub lead, the University of Southern Queensland, will also oversee the co-design with farmers and communities of innovative projects to ensure they deliver what is needed in the region. Based in Toowoomba, the Hub will establish five nodes in Longreach, Roma, Stanthorpe, Lismore, and Narrabri which will mean new jobs in these communities as well.

“Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs have come about through the forward-thinking Future Drought Fund – a long term, sustained investment of $100 million each year to build drought preparedness,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Drought is a natural part of the Australian landscape and these hubs will play a critical role in helping farmers and agricultural communities to be better prepared.

“The partner organisations involved in this Hub will bring together farmers, researchers, state government, local entrepreneurs, Indigenous groups, NRM practitioners, industry and community groups and non-profit sector organisations.”

“It is exciting for Maranoa to be included in this important research Hub, which will work to address local drought resilience and increase opportunities for innovation in our region,” Minister Littleproud said.

“The five nodes in Longreach, Roma, Stanthorpe, Lismore and Narrabri are strategically located to represent a range of agricultural industries and will be a ‘shopfront’ with people on the ground.

“The Hub will bring together organisations like Beanstalk AgTech  Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Ltd, and the Australian Red Cross to engage directly with farmers, traditional owners, agribusinesses and mental health services to empower stakeholders to co-design drought preparedness activities for the whole region.”

Fast Facts:

• This is one of eight Hubs to be established around the country through the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
• The Hubs are the centrepiece of the Australian Government’s $86 million Future Drought Fund Research and Adoption (R & A) Program.
• They will become flagship precincts for agricultural innovation.
• The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment will lead the co-ordination of the Hubs, supporting them to become interconnected agricultural innovation precincts.
• Find out more by visiting www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/research-adoption-program