Kimberley Page » Agriculture

Katherine: Land deal for sandalwood plantation

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:05:57 +0000

The company that has 5,000ha of sandalwood plantations in Kununurra is expanding to Katherine.

Tropical Forestry Services has put in to buy 12,000ha of land in the district, contingent on a water allowance.

ABC [read this story]

Ord Expansion: Phase one channel complete

admin — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 03:05:34 +0000

The channel for phase one of the Ord Irrigation Expansion is complete.

Kimberley Echo [read this story]

Ernie Bridge doubts plan to pipe water south

admin — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:05:14 +0000

Ernie Bridge

Former water minister Ernie Bridge is sceptical about a plan to pipe Kimberley water to the Murray-Darling.

He said there is more than enough water for the purpose in NSW’s Clarence River.

Farm Weekly [read this story]

Kununurra: Contract awarded for second phase

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:05:54 +0000

A well-known construction company has won the contract for the second phase of the Ord irrigation expansion.

Leighton Contractors will be paid $146million for constructing infrastructure “to the farm gate”.

You can read the Minister’s media release here:

		Government of Western Australia Department of the Premier and Cabinet
	Hon. Brendon Grylls MLA
8/12/11	Minister for Regional Development; Lands

MEDIA STATEMENT

Ord Phase 2 contract for Kununurra

Leighton Contractors appointed as Phase 2 contractor
$146million contract to deliver infrastructure to farm gate

The State Government’s Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project reached another important milestone with the announcement of Leighton Contractors as the contractor for Phase 2 construction works.

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the $146million Royalties for Regions-funded contract involved construction and delivery of infrastructure including the irrigation channel extension; drainage channels and roads within the Goomig Farm Area; and included key measurable goals to maximise indigenous participation.

Mr Grylls said the State Government was committed to working with MG Corporation to deliver the indigenous outcomes of the Phase 2 contract.

“This project has always been about more than delivery of hard infrastructure, and all parties have put a significant amount of effort into developing goals and strategies that ensure indigenous employment and business opportunities,” he said.

“Already we have achieved the growth and establishment of some indigenous businesses and we are seeking to improve on that.”

The Phase 2 scope and contract also included constructing additional channel capacity to assist with accommodating potential expansion within the Knox Plain area and into the Northern Territory.

The project is doubling the Ord River Irrigation area, with LandCorp currently seeking requests for proposal and expressions of interest for 15,200 hectares of agricultural land.

Fact File

15,200 hectares in three areas released through expression of interest (Knox Plain and Ord West Bank) and request for proposals (Goomig Farm Area), closing February 27, 2012
· The Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project engages the Miriuwung and Gajerrong traditional owners in meaningful business partnerships and employment opportunities
Land release documentation and information available from http://www.landcorp.com.au/ordlandrelease
The existing Ord River Irrigation Area comprises 14,000 hectares, growing a variety of crops including cotton, rice, chia, sorghum, pumpkins, melons, mangoes and sandalwood

Pipeline company wants Murray-Darling buyback money

admin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:05:41 +0000

A company keen to build a Kimberley-South Australian water pipeline is seeking Commonwealth funding.

It said the funds to be used to buy back water rights from Murray-Darling irrigators would be better spent piping Kimberley water to Australia’s south and east.

ABC [read this story]

Ord River levels to fluctuate

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:43:29 +0000

The Water Corporation says levels are likely to fluctuate in Lake Argyle, Lake Kununurra and the Lower Ord.

Lake Kununurra will also be deliberately lowered for two weeks during the coming wet season for maintenance.

You can read a media release here:

Media Statement

1 December 2011

ORD RIVER LEVEL TO FLUCTUATE DURING THE WET SEASON

The Water Corporation is advising the Kununurra and surrounding communities to expect fluctuations in the Ord River level in Zones 1 (Lake Argyle), Zone 2 (Lake Kununurra) and Zone 3 (Lower Ord), due to wet season conditions.

The Corporation has also advised that they will lower the level of Lake Kununurra for up to two weeks during the wet season to carry out maintenance works.

Kerrie Chapman, Water Corporation North West Regional Manager said dates for the period of lowering were still to be confirmed, however prior notice would be given via the regular faxstream and email notification process.

“During the wet season, Lake Kununurra will generally operate between 39.50 meters AHD and 41.75 meters AHD,” Mrs Chapman said. “But on occasions the level may drop below 39.50 meters AHD as we adjust the Kununurra Diversion Dam gate settings to compensate for extreme seasonal flows.

“If you have pumping or other ancillary equipment in the vicinity of the Ord River, or are required to navigate the river, please consider the risks involved and what preventative measures you may need to take.”

The Corporation is encouraging people who require notification prior to any major change in Lake Kununurra’s water level, to contact them on 9168 0735 to ensure their contact details are correct for the faxstream and email notification process.

Ord River: Foreign interest in new farmland

admin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:05:15 +0000

Farm Weekly says China and Malaysia have expressed an interest in buying the new irrigated farmland near Kununurra.

When complete, the irrigation expansion is set to create 400 more jobs.

Farm Weekly [read this story]

Study shows meatworks could be viable

admin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:05:52 +0000

A new report says a meatworks near Broome could be viable under certain conditions.

The report said a proposed abattoir would need enough locally-grown hay and suppliers and buyers already in place.

ABC [read this story]

Ord Valley: New farmland to be released

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:05:06 +0000

The government is calling for expressions of interest from people wanting to buy new agricultural land.

The new land to be released totals 15,200ha.

You can read a media release here:

Government of Western Australia

Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Hon. Colin Barnett MLA

Hon Brendon Grylls MLA

8/11/11

Premier

Minister for Regional Development and Lands

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT

Ord expansion delivers first agricultural land

Requests for proposal and expressions of interest (EOI) now open
15,200ha released in Goomig Farm Area, Knox Plain and Ord West Bank.

The State Government’s Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project has reached a major milestone with the decision to release more than 15,200ha of irrigable agricultural land near Kununurra.

Premier Colin Barnett said the highly anticipated release on this large-scale, nation building endeavour would help create stronger, more vibrant and sustainable regional communities in the East Kimberley.

“Significant investment and hard work from both the State and Federal governments and a range of stakeholders has now borne fruit, further cementing the Ord River irrigation area’s reputation as a world-class agricultural precinct,” Mr Barnett said.

“This release of land in the Goomig Farm Area, Knox Plain and Ord West Bank more than doubles the size of the existing irrigation area and provides opportunities for short, medium and long-term agricultural land development for a variety of crops.”

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the area was already attracting significant interest and this land release would help draw private sector investment into the growing region.

“The multiple land release will draw both national and international attention from purchasers looking to benefit from the Ord’s reliable water supply, productive soils and ideal growing climate,” Mr Grylls said.

“I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Miriuwung Gajerrong people, whose signing of the Ord Final Agreement and ongoing commitment to the project has made today’s land release a reality.”

EOI for the Knox Plain and Ord West Bank land and Requests for Proposal for the

Goomig Farm Area close in February 2012.

Fact File

15,203ha in three areas released through EOI (Knox Plain and Ord West Bank) and request for proposals (Goomig Farm Area)
· The Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project engages the Miriuwung Gajerrong traditional owners in meaningful business partnerships and employment opportunities
Land release documentation and information available from www.landcorp.com.au/ordlandrelease
The existing Ord River Irrigation Area comprises 14,000ha, growing a variety of crops including cotton, rice, chia, sorghum, pumpkins, melons, mangoes and sandalwood
Lake Argyle, which supplies water to the Ord River Irrigation Area, holds 10,763GL of water at full supply level

Opinion: Barry Haase on the RSPCA

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:05:53 +0000

Barry Haase MHR

Local member Barry Haase is concerned at the RSPCA’s wish to “work with the livestock industry”.

“In the main they have a membership that is city based and is increasingly out of touch with the realities of agriculture and pastoralism and where their meat protein comes from,” he said.

You can read his statement here:

Barry Haase

Federal Member for Durack

M E D I A R E L E A S E

3 November 2011

Beware of the RSPCA

Speaking on an adjournment debate in Federal Parliament, Mr Haase, Federal Member for Durack, put to the House his deep concern upon learning the RSPCA were keen to work with the livestock industry.

“It is rather odd that an institution that believes the breeding of livestock for slaughter for food consumption is cruel should want to work with the livestock industry to develop standards and process that will be advantageous for animals,” Mr Haase stated.

“In short, I believe that this is a smokescreen designed exclusively to maintain the income of membership dues to keep the organisation and its employees in the manner to which they have become accustomed. They have become accustomed to the very high contributions that pastoralists and agriculturalists and others have made over the years in the interest of domestic pet welfare and to track down and bring to justice those who would deliberately inflict cruelty to animals,” said Mr Haase.

“When this organisation enters into the industrial arena of the breeding of livestock specifically for slaughter, they step outside their bivouac. They step onto very thin ice—it is delicate ground—because they cloud the issue. In the main they have a membership that is city based and is increasingly out of touch with the realities of agriculture and pastoralism and where their meat protein comes from”.

“It concerns me a great deal that the PGA would now consider getting into bed, so to speak, with the RSPCA” said Mr Haase.