About Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG):

Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) is the state industry body representing Queensland’s commercial fruit, vegetable, and nut growers. QFVG operates a dedicated project delivery arm, Growcom. They continually strive to be the provider of choice and to be recognised for their high-quality delivery.

About Susan Freeman-Greene:

Rachel Chambers is the Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG), the peak industry body representing Queensland’s fruit, vegetable, and nut growers. Appointed in June 2022, Chambers brings a diverse background spanning local government, education, health, small business, and economic development. She previously served as Mayor of the North Burnett Regional Council for six years and held a leadership role in transport and logistics at the Local Government Association of Queensland. Chambers is also a strong proponent of data-driven advocacy, emphasizing the importance of profitability, seasonality, and complexity in policy discussions. She has been instrumental in promoting the Fair Farms program, which has positioned Queensland as a national leader in horticultural workplace compliance.

About this Episode:

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, IPWEA CEO David Jenkins speaks with Rachel Chambers a former mayor and advocate for outcome-driven asset management. They discuss the challenges of elected leadership, the importance of understanding asset management, and how to engage effectively with the community.

Key Takeaways:

• Elected leaders face competing demands and limited budgets.
• Understanding asset management is crucial for effective governance.
• Cultural change in councils is a long-term process.
• Community engagement varies across generations.