New Roma shopfront supporting drought resilience innovation in southern Queensland

March 8, 2022

A new drought resilience shopfront in Roma will support farmers and communities in southern Queensland to prepare for and respond to drought.

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the new Roma node of the Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub would support drought resilience and agricultural productivity in the region.

“The hub brings together researchers, farmers, agricultural businesses, and rural communities to work innovative solutions into on-the-ground practice to improve the drought resilience of one of Australia’s key agricultural regions,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The hub’s core site is at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba with ‘nodes’ in Armidale, Longreach, Roma, Stanthorpe, Lismore and Narrabri.

“SQNNSW Hub partner, Southern Queensland Landscapes, will host the new Roma node, a shopfront for Maranoa farmers to get advice from trusted local agricultural professionals.

“Roma node leaders will support farmers with innovative tools and practices that will help make not only their businesses but the Maranoa region more resilient to future droughts.”

The SQNNSW Hub is one of eight nationally with over 40 ‘node’ locations.

“The hubs are part of the forward-thinking Future Drought Fund, a long term, sustained investment of $100 million each year to build drought preparedness,” Mr Littleproud said.

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

“I encourage local farmers and the community to participate in the Roma node.”

Fast Facts:

• The SQNNSW Hub led by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is one of eight Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs across regional Australia funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
• The Australian Government is investing $10 million in the hub over four years, with more than $10 million in contributions from Hub Members and Network Partners, including Southern Queensland Landscapes.
• Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs are part of the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
• For more information about the hub visit: www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/research-adoption-program