LEADER of the Nationals David Littleproud joined federal member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell MP, in Rochester to visit local growers and meet with community groups as the town continues to build back, following the devastating October 2022 floods.

During the March 13 visit Mr Littleproud and Mr Birrell met with a tomato grower, who is facing another challenging season after unseasonal rainfall in January flooded plantings.

“A block of younger plants has partially recovered but the yield will be low,” Mr Birrell said.

“This farm has been growing tomatoes for 40 years and has been a supplier to SPC for many years.

“It’s stories like this that reinforce the importance of supporting local growers and demanding supermarkets to back home grown producers.”

The MPs also visited Timmering Wines, a local winemaker producing high value product from grapes grown at the winery.

Mr Birrell said while many wine producers like Timmering are doing well, there is increasing concern for the broader sector due to a prolonged global oversupply of wine.

“Australia’s total crush in 2023 was down an estimated 24 per cent in 2023 according to Wine Australia data, and there is a fear that under pressure wine grape growers will be targeted for water buybacks under the Albanese government’s disastrous Murray Darling Basin changes.

“As we saw with dairy during the first round of buybacks, once the water is sold the production is gone forever, and it has a lasting negative impact for agriculture, communities and the economy.”