Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

Premier Visits Scenic Rim Region’s Festival Of Food And Farming

Victor P Taffa

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today toured the annual Scenic Rim Winter Harvest Festival to celebrate the region’s famous food and wine, and met with producers affected by Cyclone Debbie.

Premier Palaszczuk said festival, which is part of Eat Local Week, showcased the Scenic Rim region’s world class produce to visitors and featured local farmers, suppliers, retailers and chefs.

“Winter Harvest Festival plates up a delicious array of food for visitors, highlighting the quality of produce right on Brisbane’s doorstep.” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“I had the opportunity to visit the region following Tropical Cyclone Debbie and met with producers and toured the affected areas.”

“It is particularly heartening to see such a bumper crop of visitors this year three months after Tropical Cyclone Debbie hit the region.” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“Touring the stalls and attractions, visitors will not only discover the vast array of fresh, local products available right on our doorstep but they will also see up-close how the region is back in business.”

Premier Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government’s ‘Go Local keep Queensland going strong’ campaign was also raising awareness about supporting our primary producers doing it tough after Debbie.

“Every Queenslander can play a part in helping communities bounce back.” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“We launched the $2 Million ‘Go Local keep Queensland going strong’ initiative to help farmers and businesses recover from the effects of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.”

“I encourage all Queenslanders to put our farmers and small businesses first and buy local, just as everyone is doing here today at this terrific festival.”

Premier Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government was proud to deliver $25,000 to support the 2017 Scenic Rim Eat Local Week.

“With more than 30,000 people expected to attend the Eat Local Week events and buy local, the Queensland Government is proud to support this Scenic Rim Regional Council initiative.” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“Scenic Rim Regional Council estimates the annual event will inject an impressive $1.7 Million boost to the Scenic Rim region’s local economy.”

Damage to the Scenic Rim’s infrastructure from ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie is estimated to be approximately $40 Million. To date, 68 primary producers in the Scenic Rim have received disaster assistance valued at over $389,000.