❓ Mr Catania asks about the Liberal-National government's investment in irrigated agriculture. The Minister for Water responds, highlighting the Water for Food program and a partnership with Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation, emphasizing job creation and training.
AnsweredQoN 988Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
IRRIGATED
AGRICULTURE
988. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the
Minister for Water:
The Liberal–National government is undertaking a
significant investment into irrigated agriculture across the state, which is an
area of potential growth. Can the minister please update the house on this
program?
AGRICULTURE
988. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the
Minister for Water:
The Liberal–National government is undertaking a
significant investment into irrigated agriculture across the state, which is an
area of potential growth. Can the minister please update the house on this
program?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
I know that irrigated agriculture is very important to the member in his part
of the world. We are currently working as a government on expanding irrigated
agriculture across the state as part of our $40 million investment to increase
productivity across the state and deliver new jobs. It was very exciting on
Friday to go back to Mowanjum as part of the Water for Food program, which is a
$40 million investment. The first initiative of the program is a research
agreement and partnership with Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation to undertake a
centre-pivot irrigated trial on country. About 60 people attended the event.
There is a high level of excitement and anticipation in that community about
the jobs and sustainable future we can create for not only Mowanjum, but also
members of the community in Derby, right along the Gibb River Road, through the
Kimberley and into the Pilbara. This project is showing exactly how
long-sighted this government is in seizing the opportunity in agricultural
investment of $350 million, the biggest investment in agriculture ever made in
WA. I think Mowanjum in particular is hugely appreciative of the effort that we
have put in.
The $2.7 million we are investing as part of this program
will go into putting in the centre pivot, looking at the types of fodders we
will grow, fencing, roads, clearing, site development, field preparation, pumps
and bores. Mowanjum has developed its own business case and is also investing
its own money into this program, which is one of the reasons we have selected
to partner with Mowanjum.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
Ms M.J. DAVIES : I
understand that the member would have been impressed at the level of
anticipation about this project. They are excited.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : One of the main aims the member might be very interested in is
the training component of this project. The Minister for Training and Workforce
Development will be involved. Young people; Jason Russ; and Steve Austin, the
chief executive officer and manager of the pastoral station, are working very
closely with young Mowanjum men and women and men and women from Derby to
ensure that they have training pathways. Jason and Steve are very reluctant to
say no to anyone who picks up the phone and wants to be involved in this project.
Can I say that this government is changing the future for that community and
those in the Kimberley and the Pilbara through this project and I will be very
excited to go back there next year to mark the installation of the irrigation
centre pivot. I am sure there will be many more updates for the house as we
progress this project as a matter of priority.
I know that irrigated agriculture is very important to the member in his part
of the world. We are currently working as a government on expanding irrigated
agriculture across the state as part of our $40 million investment to increase
productivity across the state and deliver new jobs. It was very exciting on
Friday to go back to Mowanjum as part of the Water for Food program, which is a
$40 million investment. The first initiative of the program is a research
agreement and partnership with Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation to undertake a
centre-pivot irrigated trial on country. About 60 people attended the event.
There is a high level of excitement and anticipation in that community about
the jobs and sustainable future we can create for not only Mowanjum, but also
members of the community in Derby, right along the Gibb River Road, through the
Kimberley and into the Pilbara. This project is showing exactly how
long-sighted this government is in seizing the opportunity in agricultural
investment of $350 million, the biggest investment in agriculture ever made in
WA. I think Mowanjum in particular is hugely appreciative of the effort that we
have put in.
The $2.7 million we are investing as part of this program
will go into putting in the centre pivot, looking at the types of fodders we
will grow, fencing, roads, clearing, site development, field preparation, pumps
and bores. Mowanjum has developed its own business case and is also investing
its own money into this program, which is one of the reasons we have selected
to partner with Mowanjum.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
Ms M.J. DAVIES : I
understand that the member would have been impressed at the level of
anticipation about this project. They are excited.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : One of the main aims the member might be very interested in is
the training component of this project. The Minister for Training and Workforce
Development will be involved. Young people; Jason Russ; and Steve Austin, the
chief executive officer and manager of the pastoral station, are working very
closely with young Mowanjum men and women and men and women from Derby to
ensure that they have training pathways. Jason and Steve are very reluctant to
say no to anyone who picks up the phone and wants to be involved in this project.
Can I say that this government is changing the future for that community and
those in the Kimberley and the Pilbara through this project and I will be very
excited to go back there next year to mark the installation of the irrigation
centre pivot. I am sure there will be many more updates for the house as we
progress this project as a matter of priority.
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