Plan now for harvest with new online resources, says Goondiwindi Region Mayor

Goondiwindi Region producers and farming contractors have a new online resource to help them get ready for harvest with the latest information about COVID Safe requirements all in one place.

The state government’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is leading the Queensland Grains Harvest Taskforce and has established an online ‘eHub’ to help agribusinesses plan for harvest and ensure they meet their responsibilities around COVID-19 border restrictions.

The eHub includes quarantine management plan templates and a quick reference guide on requirements for grain harvest workers entering Queensland. The site also includes information about each type of border pass and requirements for entry to Queensland, including a flow chart to clarify what passes are available for different circumstances.

Visit the eHub now: https://daf.engagementhub.com.au/grain-harvesters.

You can also call the DAF Harvest hotline number on 13 25 23 to discuss any specific queries about individual circumstances.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM is encouraging residents and businesses to prepare now ahead of one of the strongest harvests our region has seen in recent years.

“Our local grains industry is gearing up for a very strong season after good rainfall and premium growing conditions after years of drought,” the Mayor said. “Across the state, the grains harvest is predicted to deliver around $1billion at the farm-gate.

“While the border restrictions are an extra challenge to navigate, the message to Goondiwindi Region agribusinesses is that assistance is available to get your workers and equipment across the border in line with the current Queensland Health directives. But you need to plan well ahead of time.

“We want to ensure a successful harvest, while complying with the measures in place to protect our communities from serious illness caused by COVID-19,” he said.

The Queensland Grains Harvest Taskforce is a collective of industry representatives, including local government and harvest contractors, who regularly meet to discuss the needs of the industry during its peak time and develop solutions to presented challenges.

Residents are reminded that a recording of the recent Goondiwindi Region COVID-19 Border Restrictions Webinar is available to watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nHhlmcutyw.

Residents can also download the responses to questions asked during the webinar from state government departments here: https://www.grc.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/2441/goondiwindi-region-covid-webinar-q-and-a-responses-september-2021.