John McVeigh (Groom, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a great honour last week to open the new Norco Rural store in Toowoomba in the company of board members, co-op members and local staff. Norco promotes itself as the last truly farmer-owned dairy cooperative in this country. It was good to be there to celebrate with our mayor, Paul Antonio, and LNP state member for Toowoomba South, David Janetzki. The last decade of Norco cooperative's presence on the Darling Downs has seen their local dairy farmer membership base grow to 60 farms. This new store will support them and other farmers with standard agricultural requirements, as well as the latest innovations and technology. Despite challenges and low prices, the Downs remains an important milk production region with new opportunities emerging such as the Au Lait Australia and Nature One Dairy joint venture. It is a $35 million, Toowoomba based, integrated milk project, which, I am told, has the potential to fly two jumbo jet tankers to Asia each day. Their other projects include infant formula, milk powder and UHT products. Therefore, I am so very pleased that the dairy industry has a very promising future on the Darling Downs. In our history—in the 1950s, 60s and so forth—we supplied dairy products, including butter in particular, direct to the UK. Having seen that trade die over the years means this development in our industry is so much more important for our region.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.