Who are they? Canegrowers is the farmer representative body for Australian sugarcane producers. They are also one of Australia’s largest and most influential farmer representative bodies. Canegrowers is a not-for-profit organisation managed and funded entirely by cane growers. They have represented the interests of Queensland’s 6500 cane growers since they were established in 1925 under Queensland Government legislation. Canegrowers provide leadership, representation and services for growers to create a favourable operating environment for profitable and sustainable sugar production.
What do they do? Canegrowers provides information and assistance to cane farmers on all matters related to sugarcane growing. They inform governments about cane growers’ needs, policy and views. They represent growers, directly and indirectly, in all major rural industry forums. Canegrowers is affiliated with the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers, the National Farmers Federation and the Queensland Farmers Federation. For more information on the services provided by Canegrowers, visit their web site at www.canegrowers.com.au/services/services.htm.
Operations The Canegrowers organisation has a three-tiered structure. Autonomous corporate entities at each level - local area, district, and State/national/international - represent growers’ interests. The operations of all business units are overseen by democratically elected and accountable grower representatives elected every three years. All Queensland sugarcane growers have direct and equal voting rights.
Leadership The peak policy body for cane growers is the Canegrowers Board. This comprises 26 elected cane grower representatives - one from each sugar mill supply area. Chairman is Harry Bonanno, Isis, Senior Vice Chairman is Jim Pedersen, Mackay, and Vice Chairman is Basil Micale, Innisfail.
Funding Administrative operations at all levels are funded by annual levies on growers’ sugarcane production plus income from building rentals, insurance commissions, sales of advertising and other commercial activities. The amount of levies is determined by elected grower representatives.
Location Canegrowers has offices in all major sugar producing districts and a professional staff of around 100. The Canegrowers Board is located in Canegrowers Building, 190 Edward Street, Brisbane, Australia.
