Mackay Regional Financial Counselling Service Resource Directory for Sugar Industry Stakeholders – Financial
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Farm Financial Counselling Service
Richard Lewis
Farm Financial Counsellor
Telephone: 49670715 or (M) 0419734667
Assists cane growers and contract harvesters to understand their financial position, identify and assess the financial impacts of options for resolving problems and to develop strategies and plans for improvement. Provides assistance in negotiations with financial and other institutions.
Future Cane Business Development
Sarah Miotto
Business Development Officer
Telephone: 49670658
Provides support, information and advice on cane farm business planning and financial management.
Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority
Peter Crowley
QRAA Client Liaison Officer
Telephone: 49670728
Please leave a message if necessary and Peter will return call as soon as possible.
Provides information and support regarding drought interest rate subsidy, training grants, concessional farm loans.
Mackay Region Area Consultative Committee
John Alcorn
Sugar Executive Officer
Telephone: 49512473 or (M) 0407129622
Information resource and group facilitation. Provides general information and referral service regarding the Sugar Industry Reform Program. Assists with project planning and project applications under the Regional and Community Projects program.
Department of State Development and Innovation
Heather Norris
Sugar Resource Officer
Telephone: 49671095
Assist sugar industry stakeholders to develop project applications for the Sugar Industry Innovation Fund. This fund will provide up to 50% of funding for eligible projects that promote adoption of innovative practices within the sugar industry.
Small Business Assistance
Robyn Hinkson
Small Business Answers Officer
Telephone: 49441747
Assistance regarding business planning and tax issues.
Centrelink
Rural Call Centre
Telephone: 1800 050 585
Discuss claim form particulars, queries, processes, policies, income options through Centrelink, provide social work services and financial information services, forward queries or make appointments with Centrelink officers where relevant, advise regarding appeal processes.
Centrelink Rural Services Central and North Queensland
Helen Toy
Centrelink Rural Extension Officer
Telephone: 1800 050 585 (Rural Call Centre–she will return call) or (M) 0437921340
Provides government services offered through Centrelink to primary producers including face to face service to growers on and off-farm.
Mackay Regional Financial Counselling Service
Financial Counsellor
Telephone: 49572626
Provides a confidential service offering support, information, options and advocacy to individuals, families and small business operators experiencing personal financial difficulties. Financial counselling is available at George Street Neighbourhood Centre, other mutually arranged locations or by telephone. The service is free of charge and is available to all community members including cane growers, harvesters and associated industry workers.
Central Queensland Financial Counselling Service
Telephone Financial Counsellor
Telephone: 1800 238 085
Provides a confidential telephone service offering information and referral options for stakeholders of the sugar industry experiencing personal financial difficulties.
Australian Taxation Office
Operator Assisted Service
Telephone: 13 28 61 (personal tax) or 13 28 66 (business tax)