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Professor David Phelps

Fellow

  • Club/association Details
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  • Role(s): Fellow
    Level: Full
    Status: Active
  • Bio/Profile
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  • Professor Phelps has a PhD in Rural Science, a Dip Ed in Agriculture and Science and a Bachelor of Rural Science (Hons), all through the University of New England (Armidale). David Phelps has a lifetime spent in successfully advocating for greater investment into drought preparedness and resilience within the Queensland Government and regional Queensland, contributing to the creation of the Drought and Climate Adaptation Program and the Grazing Futures drought extension project for western Queensland, and setting the strategic direction and positive governance of the Australian Rangeland Society as President. In 2021, David led the successful 2021 Australian Rangeland Conference in Longreach, with a focus on resilience, drought management and preparedness, and natural resource management. David has a notable international reputation in initiating the winning Australian bid team to host the International Rangeland Congress in Adelaide in 2025, with regional forums to be attended by international delegates across Australia.

    Prof David Phelps currently holds the position of Professor, Drought Resilience and Director of the Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub. His key responsibilities include  strategic implementation of the $11.8 million TNQ Drought Hub through James Cook University (JCU) and six industry partners to enhance the drought and climate resilience of north Queensland and Australia’s agricultural industries, towns and communities, and regions. Additionally, Prof Phelps is an Adjunct Professor (Agriculture) at Central Queensland University (CQU) where his key responsibilities are to build strong linkages between CQU and industry to support the delivery of agricultural technology programs in the grazing lands of western Queensland.
    Previous to this, David held senior executive positions with the Queensland Government in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as Manager, Regional Agribusiness Strategy 2020- March 2022, Flood Recovery Coordinator (2019 Monsoon) 2019-2020, as Principal and Senior Scientist 2010 – 2001 and as Scientist 1990 – 2000. David has been responsible for managing a total of $60,135,000 of RDE & grant funds (all sources) since 1990, has been requested by DAF’s senior management to lead the development of ‘Queensland’s sheep and goat meat strategy’ and upcoming rural agricultural development grants scheme, total $4,250,000.
    David has been requested by DAF’s senior management to lead the recovery of agricultural industries in north-west Queensland following the 2019 Monsoon trough, which killed an estimated 500,000 livestock.
    Prof Phelps has written more than 115 publications spanning peer reviewed journals and conference papers, has co-led successful Australian Smart Farm bid for e-beef technology grant to improve northern beef productivity (total $5,300,000), led development for 5-year funding through Queensland Treasury to develop a new extension program to build agricultural drought resilience across western Queensland, total $6,800,000; which has now formed the basis for Queensland’s state-wide approach to drought extension.
    Under this program David has led the ‘GrazingFutures’ extension team to build resilience within $10.8 billion worth of business in western Queensland by influencing improved practices for 249 graziers and upskilling 1,475 producers and 775 agribusiness professionals through 93 training, skill development and mentoring activities. Awareness was increased for 7,321 people through traditional and social media.