On The Land
5 April, 2023
New Chair announced for Queensland Horticulture Council
A NEW chair Queensland Horticulture Council (QHC) has been announced in the wake of local grower Joe Moro stepping down from the role after a four-year stint after recently being elected as chair of Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers (QFVG).
Bree Watson, chief executive officer of Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, has been voted in as the new chair of the council.
Mr Moro said it had been an honour to chair the forum and to help guide input into from regional growing areas into state-wide horticulture policies for Queensland.
“The QHC plays a vital role in proactively planning for the future of Queensland horticulture. This year it is more important than ever to ensure a united voice in horticulture,” he said.
“QFVG has been happy to provide the secretariat support for this important forum since inception and will continue to do so to enable a loud, strong, and brave voice to government."
The QHC was set up in 2015 to bring together the voices of the regional horticulture bodies operating in Queensland and is the preeminent forum for deliberating horticulture policy in Queensland.
It serves a fundamental opportunity to raise issues and formulate agreed upon plans to move forward.
The council is comprised of representatives from Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and each of the major regional grower groups in the State including Far North Queensland Growers Association, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Limited, Gayndah & District Fruit growers Association, Lockyer Valley Growers Association and Granite Belt Growers Association.
Ms Watson brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role and looks forward to ensuring the views of Council members are heard and considered at all levels of Government.
“The QHC has been vital in contributing to policy development through consultations and submissions”, Ms Watson said.
“An example of this was the policy platform for the horticulture sector ‘A Green Spring in Queensland’ which was informed by QHC for the 2020 Queensland election.”
The QHC thanked Mr Moro for his long service in the role and looks forward to his continued contribution.
