Behind the scenes at the mill

By Zoe McMaugh

Aug 28, 2022

SunRice chair Laurie Arthur, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Mick Veitch and Ricegrowers Association of Australia president Rob Massina.

When it comes to familiarising yourself with the agricultural importance of the Deniliquin region, you must visit the Deniliquin Rice Mill.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

When in Deniliquin last week, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Mick Veith was given a personal tour of the mill - the largest in the southern hempisphere.

It was hosted by RGA president Rob Massina and SunRice chair Laurie Arthur, and other representatives of both organisations.

The visit provided an opportunity for SunRice to showcase its storage and milling facilities based in regional NSW.

Mr Massina also said it was pleasing to see SunRice’s processing assets running 24/7 after a successful harvest, which is the largest in five years.

“The rice industry is looking forward to another good season off the back of good rainfall and lower water prices,” Mr Massina said.

Last week’s visit from Mr Veitch and fellow Shadow Minister Rose Jackson - who has the water and housing and homelessness portfolios - was coordinated by Murray Irrigation Limited.

MIL CEO Ron McCalman said the regional visit was part of Murray Irrigation’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with politicians of all persuasions, to highlight the opportunities which exist for a balance that provides positive outcomes for both agriculture and the environment.

With MIL, the parliamentarians were given a tour of the Mascotte Escape, a targeted environmental watering solution proposed by Murray Irrigation as part of its Murray Reconnected Floodplains project.

The shadow ministers also met with Intereach, Vinnies Services, Homes Out West, and shared lunch with representatives from Edward River Council, National Irrigators Council and Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre.