How ironic

NSW, VIC and Qld have just allowed GM crops to be planted - which automatically wipes out organic ratings within cooee of those farms - and now there's a call for concessions for organic farms.

Get the state governments to resume the ban on monsantos GM products and we can return to an organic farming potential.

With GN - farmers have lost the EU and Japan as potential markets if they live close to a GM farmer.

Cr Brennan will soon be sitting in judgment on whether the 900 acre Bridges Investigation Area becomes a giant industrial eyesore in the picturesque hinterland, or whether, as part of the 30% of former cane land that is of much use for growing anything but cane, it retains its Rural Production zoning.

The Soil and Landscape Assessment of the Maroochy River Catchment (DNR&W 2007) identified many demanding and high-value crops for which the site is suitable, and mapped the unique geological feature responsible for this localized phenomenon.

There is a discontinuous deposit of red soils in the valley of the North Arm of the Maroochy River.
Several of these sites between Eumundi and Yandina are currently under cultivation for ginger and strawberries, both of which are highly demanding in their soil requirements. It is apparent that this soil type is well represented on the Bridges Investigation Area site.

Ginger is currently being farmed there.
Another recent study, Future Use of Sunshine Coast Cane Landscapes, (CSIRO 2006) found that, of the 10 000 hectares of Assigned Cane Land, 7 000ha is not viable for crops other than sugar cane. The other 3 000 ha, located mostly in the upstream, western part of the Maroochy catchment including the valley of the North Arm where Bridges lies, was found to be suitable for a wide range of crops.

The development of land for urban and industrial use has meant the loss of other significant areas of good agricultural land. Development without regard for the needs of rural industry and the continuing importance of agriculture is no longer acceptable.