Category: Business

Emerald Flood Levees

On By kerryhayes01In Agriculture, Business, General, Resources

The 2008 and 2010-2011 flood events that impacted Emerald will undoubtedly be recorded as two of the worst natural disasters the town has experienced. There was also significant flood damage at Sapphire in 2008 and Bluff, Springsure, Capella and Rolleston in the latter event.

As acting Mayor in the first instance and as councillor in 2010-2011 I am acutely aware of the devastation to rural and urban landholders during these terrible floods.

I was honoured to accept the roles of Chair of Recovery after both events and had incredible support from the Council and hard-working volunteers who were motivated each day for almost 11 months in the Recovery Centre to help and support affected rate payers to get their lives back on track. Continue reading “Emerald Flood Levees” →

From little things big things grow

On By kerryhayes01In Agriculture, Business, General

John and Mary Walter had no idea that the small macadamia orchard they decided to plant in 2002 would end up attracting one of the largest macadamia nut growers in the world to their property.IMG_7674

Saratoga Holdings, an entity of the Zadro Family, headed by octogenarian Phil Zadro started noticing that the Walters Nogoa Valley Orchard nut crop that was processed at their Hinkler Park processing plant at Bundaberg, was increasing in Continue reading “From little things big things grow” →

Inspiration in this region

On By kerryhayes01In Agriculture, Business, General

You don’t have to look very far to find inspiration in this region.

I dropped in to see Craig and Bindi Pressler at 2PH on Selm

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a Road just south west of Emerald as they were packing limes from their orchards.

The Pressler family lost every single citrus tree from their farms in and around Emerald in 2005 to an outbreak of citrus canker. The loss of income, loss of jobs and toll on the family was immense. I was acting Mayor at the time and witnessed first hand the angst they, and the other citrus growers in the region experienced.

Continue reading “Inspiration in this region” →