Bree Watson, Chief Executive Officer of Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, has been voted in as the new Chair of the Queensland Horticulture Council.
Bree takes over Joe Moro who stepped down after a four-year stint upon becoming elected recent Chair of Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers (QFVG).
Mr Moro, a mango grower from Biboohra, said it had been an honor to chair the important forum and help guide input from regional growing areas into statewide horticulture policies for Queensland.
“The QHC plays a vital role in proactively planning for the future of Queensland horticulture,” he said.
“This year it is more important than ever to ensure a united voice in horticulture.
“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 Queensland Horticulture Council (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 and District Fruit growers Association, Lockyer Valley Growers Association and Granite Belt Growers Association.
The Council regularly meets with the Hon Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities to ensure Queensland horticultural growers contribute directly to policy and position development.
Bree Watson brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role and said she looked forward to ensuring the views of Council members were heard and considered at all levels of government.
“The QHC has been vital in contributing to policy development through consultations and submissions,” she 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.
