In a powerful story of agricultural innovation, a third-generation farmer from Far North Queensland has successfully transformed his family property into a beacon of sustainable farming, proving that large-scale production and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
From Humble Beginnings to Agricultural Leader
Gavin Devaney represents the third generation of his family to work the rich soils of Innisfail, continuing a legacy that began when his grandfather arrived from Ireland to farm sugarcane. His father later established the family's banana farming enterprise, Bartle Frere Bananas, in the late 1980s.
Gavin joined the operation in the early 2000s and has since overseen remarkable growth, expanding the farm from its original 80 acres to an impressive 250 acres (more than 100 hectares). Today, this expansion enables the farm to produce over 250,000 cartons of fresh Cavendish bananas annually, all supplied exclusively to Coles supermarkets across Australia.
The Sustainability Transformation
The farm's most significant evolution has come through its commitment to environmental stewardship. Through the Coles Nurture Fund, Bartle Frere Bananas received a $445,000 grant that has accelerated their journey toward producing carbon neutral bananas.
For Gavin, achieving carbon neutrality means taking a holistic approach where every component of the farm operates in harmony for maximum sustainability. The funding has enabled the implementation of cutting-edge technologies and practices including:
- Installing sensors across the property to monitor soil and water quality in real-time
- Upgrading fertilizer systems to ensure plants receive only what they need
- Replacing traditional aerial spraying with precision drone technology
These innovations have yielded multiple environmental benefits, including reduced runoff into local waterways and decreased fuel consumption. The transition to drone operations has also created new skilled employment opportunities, with team members now trained as full-time drone operators.
Farming for Future Generations
Gavin's vision extends beyond immediate production, focusing squarely on creating a sustainable business that his children—Quinn and Brady, who are often seen learning the ropes on the farm—can inherit and continue.
He maintains the strong work ethic instilled by his Irish grandfather, living by the family motto: "Bite off more than you can chew and chew hard." This philosophy drives the farm's continuous improvement and commitment to innovation.
Through his leadership, Gavin hopes to demonstrate that Australian farmers are deeply committed to land stewardship. When consumers choose Bartle Frere bananas at Coles, they're not just selecting quality fruit—they're supporting local jobs, regional communities, and environmentally conscious farming practices that safeguard the land for generations to come.
