❓ The Minister for Agriculture and Food outlines the government's commitment to supporting pastoralists in diversifying their businesses, reducing red tape, and improving sustainability, particularly in the Kimberley region, highlighting the success of Kilto station as an example.
AnsweredQoN 144Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PASTORALISTS —DIVERSIFICATION OF BUSINESSES
Mr D.T. REDMAN
Mr D.T. REDMAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question and for his interest in this matter. Members on both sides of the house will be aware of the Liberal-National government’s focus on the northern part of the state, particularly the development of the Ord River irrigation area. That is certainly moving ahead very quickly, and both the Premier and the Leader of the National Party support the project as one of the state’s key priorities. On a recent visit to the northern part of the state, I looked at a number of stations and developments. In a particular area of the west Kimberley there is a need for pastoralists to be given an opportunity to diversify and to improve the economics of their businesses. There are some shining lights up there, one of which is Kilto station. The station lies some 20 kilometres to 30 kilometres east of Broome and has been very successful in picking up a special lease arrangement through which it is able to diversify. It has approximately seven centre-pivot irrigation systems; in the past, irrigation was restricted to horticulture but now Kilto is also irrigating fodder. Such diversification has resulted in an increase in capacity and infrastructure, such as the building of export stockyards accredited by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. These are designed to bulk up stock for export. Irrigation for fodder means that Kilto is able to supply to other pastoralists who are bringing their stock in, to maintain the condition of their stock so that they can bulk up and get a shipload out. The highlight of this is the capacity for these stations to be able to diversify their businesses and the capacity to use that opportunity to take pressure off the other parts of their pastoral lease. Many of those areas are under some strain. There is a real environmental benefit to be gained by supporting this position. These businesses need to go through a significant amount of red tape in order to arrange their lease conditions to achieve that sort of horticultural or fodder management. This government is committed to getting rid of some of that red tape. We understand that there are necessary processes to go through, but it is my commitment, through my agency, to put processes in place to allow diversification and to improve the sustainability of businesses. One of the side effects will be to take pressure off pastoral areas. To that end, I have tasked my department to provide me with advice on ways to achieve further diversification for pastoralists. I will seek the department’s advice on the need for a cross-portfolio review of tenure and any proposed terms of reference for a ministerial reference group to oversee that review. I have also asked the department to look at procedural improvements, including the establishment of a diversification unit. Thirdly, the department will look at a number of options that can be utilised by leaseholders to fast-track investment and diversification. This government believes that pastoralists need to be given the opportunity to make decisions that enhance their businesses and, therefore, the economy of Western Australia. They need to be able to do that without unnecessary red tape. It is something that this government is committed to, and to which the previous government did not give much attention.
I thank the member for his question and for his interest in this matter. Members on both sides of the house will be aware of the Liberal-National government’s focus on the northern part of the state, particularly the development of the Ord River irrigation area. That is certainly moving ahead very quickly, and both the Premier and the Leader of the National Party support the project as one of the state’s key priorities. On a recent visit to the northern part of the state, I looked at a number of stations and developments. In a particular area of the west Kimberley there is a need for pastoralists to be given an opportunity to diversify and to improve the economics of their businesses. There are some shining lights up there, one of which is Kilto station. The station lies some 20 kilometres to 30 kilometres east of Broome and has been very successful in picking up a special lease arrangement through which it is able to diversify. It has approximately seven centre-pivot irrigation systems; in the past, irrigation was restricted to horticulture but now Kilto is also irrigating fodder. Such diversification has resulted in an increase in capacity and infrastructure, such as the building of export stockyards accredited by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. These are designed to bulk up stock for export. Irrigation for fodder means that Kilto is able to supply to other pastoralists who are bringing their stock in, to maintain the condition of their stock so that they can bulk up and get a shipload out. The highlight of this is the capacity for these stations to be able to diversify their businesses and the capacity to use that opportunity to take pressure off the other parts of their pastoral lease. Many of those areas are under some strain. There is a real environmental benefit to be gained by supporting this position. These businesses need to go through a significant amount of red tape in order to arrange their lease conditions to achieve that sort of horticultural or fodder management. This government is committed to getting rid of some of that red tape. We understand that there are necessary processes to go through, but it is my commitment, through my agency, to put processes in place to allow diversification and to improve the sustainability of businesses. One of the side effects will be to take pressure off pastoral areas. To that end, I have tasked my department to provide me with advice on ways to achieve further diversification for pastoralists. I will seek the department’s advice on the need for a cross-portfolio review of tenure and any proposed terms of reference for a ministerial reference group to oversee that review. I have also asked the department to look at procedural improvements, including the establishment of a diversification unit. Thirdly, the department will look at a number of options that can be utilised by leaseholders to fast-track investment and diversification. This government believes that pastoralists need to be given the opportunity to make decisions that enhance their businesses and, therefore, the economy of Western Australia. They need to be able to do that without unnecessary red tape. It is something that this government is committed to, and to which the previous government did not give much attention.
Members on both sides of the house will be aware of the Liberal-National government’s focus on the northern part of the state, particularly the development of the Ord River irrigation area. That is certainly moving ahead very quickly, and both the Premier and the Leader of the National Party support the project as one of the state’s key priorities. On a recent visit to the northern part of the state, I looked at a number of stations and developments. In a particular area of the west Kimberley there is a need for pastoralists to be given an opportunity to diversify and to improve the economics of their businesses. There are some shining lights up there, one of which is Kilto station. The station lies some 20 kilometres to 30 kilometres east of Broome and has been very successful in picking up a special lease arrangement through which it is able to diversify. It has approximately seven centre-pivot irrigation systems; in the past, irrigation was restricted to horticulture but now Kilto is also irrigating fodder. Such diversification has resulted in an increase in capacity and infrastructure, such as the building of export stockyards accredited by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. These are designed to bulk up stock for export. Irrigation for fodder means that Kilto is able to supply to other pastoralists who are bringing their stock in, to maintain the condition of their stock so that they can bulk up and get a shipload out. The highlight of this is the capacity for these stations to be able to diversify their businesses and the capacity to use that opportunity to take pressure off the other parts of their pastoral lease. Many of those areas are under some strain. There is a real environmental benefit to be gained by supporting this position. These businesses need to go through a significant amount of red tape in order to arrange their lease conditions to achieve that sort of horticultural or fodder management. This government is committed to getting rid of some of that red tape. We understand that there are necessary processes to go through, but it is my commitment, through my agency, to put processes in place to allow diversification and to improve the sustainability of businesses. One of the side effects will be to take pressure off pastoral areas. To that end, I have tasked my department to provide me with advice on ways to achieve further diversification for pastoralists. I will seek the department’s advice on the need for a cross-portfolio review of tenure and any proposed terms of reference for a ministerial reference group to oversee that review. I have also asked the department to look at procedural improvements, including the establishment of a diversification unit. Thirdly, the department will look at a number of options that can be utilised by leaseholders to fast-track investment and diversification. This government believes that pastoralists need to be given the opportunity to make decisions that enhance their businesses and, therefore, the economy of Western Australia. They need to be able to do that without unnecessary red tape. It is something that this government is committed to, and to which the previous government did not give much attention.
There are some shining lights up there, one of which is Kilto station. The station lies some 20 kilometres to 30 kilometres east of Broome and has been very successful in picking up a special lease arrangement through which it is able to diversify. It has approximately seven centre-pivot irrigation systems; in the past, irrigation was restricted to horticulture but now Kilto is also irrigating fodder. Such diversification has resulted in an increase in capacity and infrastructure, such as the building of export stockyards accredited by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. These are designed to bulk up stock for export. Irrigation for fodder means that Kilto is able to supply to other pastoralists who are bringing their stock in, to maintain the condition of their stock so that they can bulk up and get a shipload out. The highlight of this is the capacity for these stations to be able to diversify their businesses and the capacity to use that opportunity to take pressure off the other parts of their pastoral lease. Many of those areas are under some strain. There is a real environmental benefit to be gained by supporting this position. These businesses need to go through a significant amount of red tape in order to arrange their lease conditions to achieve that sort of horticultural or fodder management. This government is committed to getting rid of some of that red tape. We understand that there are necessary processes to go through, but it is my commitment, through my agency, to put processes in place to allow diversification and to improve the sustainability of businesses. One of the side effects will be to take pressure off pastoral areas. To that end, I have tasked my department to provide me with advice on ways to achieve further diversification for pastoralists. I will seek the department’s advice on the need for a cross-portfolio review of tenure and any proposed terms of reference for a ministerial reference group to oversee that review. I have also asked the department to look at procedural improvements, including the establishment of a diversification unit. Thirdly, the department will look at a number of options that can be utilised by leaseholders to fast-track investment and diversification. This government believes that pastoralists need to be given the opportunity to make decisions that enhance their businesses and, therefore, the economy of Western Australia. They need to be able to do that without unnecessary red tape. It is something that this government is committed to, and to which the previous government did not give much attention.
The highlight of this is the capacity for these stations to be able to diversify their businesses and the capacity to use that opportunity to take pressure off the other parts of their pastoral lease. Many of those areas are under some strain. There is a real environmental benefit to be gained by supporting this position. These businesses need to go through a significant amount of red tape in order to arrange their lease conditions to achieve that sort of horticultural or fodder management. This government is committed to getting rid of some of that red tape. We understand that there are necessary processes to go through, but it is my commitment, through my agency, to put processes in place to allow diversification and to improve the sustainability of businesses. One of the side effects will be to take pressure off pastoral areas. To that end, I have tasked my department to provide me with advice on ways to achieve further diversification for pastoralists. I will seek the department’s advice on the need for a cross-portfolio review of tenure and any proposed terms of reference for a ministerial reference group to oversee that review. I have also asked the department to look at procedural improvements, including the establishment of a diversification unit. Thirdly, the department will look at a number of options that can be utilised by leaseholders to fast-track investment and diversification. This government believes that pastoralists need to be given the opportunity to make decisions that enhance their businesses and, therefore, the economy of Western Australia. They need to be able to do that without unnecessary red tape. It is something that this government is committed to, and to which the previous government did not give much attention.
I thank the member for his question and for his interest in this matter. Members on both sides of the house will be aware of the Liberal-National government’s focus on the northern part of the state, particularly the development of the Ord River irrigation area. That is certainly moving ahead very quickly, and both the Premier and the Leader of the National Party support the project as one of the state’s key priorities. On a recent visit to the northern part of the state, I looked at a number of stations and developments. In a particular area of the west Kimberley there is a need for pastoralists to be given an opportunity to diversify and to improve the economics of their businesses. There are some shining lights up there, one of which is Kilto station. The station lies some 20 kilometres to 30 kilometres east of Broome and has been very successful in picking up a special lease arrangement through which it is able to diversify. It has approximately seven centre-pivot irrigation systems; in the past, irrigation was restricted to horticulture but now Kilto is also irrigating fodder. Such diversification has resulted in an increase in capacity and infrastructure, such as the building of export stockyards accredited by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. These are designed to bulk up stock for export. Irrigation for fodder means that Kilto is able to supply to other pastoralists who are bringing their stock in, to maintain the condition of their stock so that they can bulk up and get a shipload out. The highlight of this is the capacity for these stations to be able to diversify their businesses and the capacity to use that opportunity to take pressure off the other parts of their pastoral lease. Many of those areas are under some strain. There is a real environmental benefit to be gained by supporting this position. These businesses need to go through a significant amount of red tape in order to arrange their lease conditions to achieve that sort of horticultural or fodder management. This government is committed to getting rid of some of that red tape. We understand that there are necessary processes to go through, but it is my commitment, through my agency, to put processes in place to allow diversification and to improve the sustainability of businesses. One of the side effects will be to take pressure off pastoral areas. To that end, I have tasked my department to provide me with advice on ways to achieve further diversification for pastoralists. I will seek the department’s advice on the need for a cross-portfolio review of tenure and any proposed terms of reference for a ministerial reference group to oversee that review. I have also asked the department to look at procedural improvements, including the establishment of a diversification unit. Thirdly, the department will look at a number of options that can be utilised by leaseholders to fast-track investment and diversification. This government believes that pastoralists need to be given the opportunity to make decisions that enhance their businesses and, therefore, the economy of Western Australia. They need to be able to do that without unnecessary red tape. It is something that this government is committed to, and to which the previous government did not give much attention.
Members on both sides of the house will be aware of the Liberal-National government’s focus on the northern part of the state, particularly the development of the Ord River irrigation area. That is certainly moving ahead very quickly, and both the Premier and the Leader of the National Party support the project as one of the state’s key priorities. On a recent visit to the northern part of the state, I looked at a number of stations and developments. In a particular area of the west Kimberley there is a need for pastoralists to be given an opportunity to diversify and to improve the economics of their businesses. There are some shining lights up there, one of which is Kilto station. The station lies some 20 kilometres to 30 kilometres east of Broome and has been very successful in picking up a special lease arrangement through which it is able to diversify. It has approximately seven centre-pivot irrigation systems; in the past, irrigation was restricted to horticulture but now Kilto is also irrigating fodder. Such diversification has resulted in an increase in capacity and infrastructure, such as the building of export stockyards accredited by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. These are designed to bulk up stock for export. Irrigation for fodder means that Kilto is able to supply to other pastoralists who are bringing their stock in, to maintain the condition of their stock so that they can bulk up and get a shipload out. The highlight of this is the capacity for these stations to be able to diversify their businesses and the capacity to use that opportunity to take pressure off the other parts of their pastoral lease. Many of those areas are under some strain. There is a real environmental benefit to be gained by supporting this position. These businesses need to go through a significant amount of red tape in order to arrange their lease conditions to achieve that sort of horticultural or fodder management. This government is committed to getting rid of some of that red tape. We understand that there are necessary processes to go through, but it is my commitment, through my agency, to put processes in place to allow diversification and to improve the sustainability of businesses. One of the side effects will be to take pressure off pastoral areas. To that end, I have tasked my department to provide me with advice on ways to achieve further diversification for pastoralists. I will seek the department’s advice on the need for a cross-portfolio review of tenure and any proposed terms of reference for a ministerial reference group to oversee that review. I have also asked the department to look at procedural improvements, including the establishment of a diversification unit. Thirdly, the department will look at a number of options that can be utilised by leaseholders to fast-track investment and diversification. This government believes that pastoralists need to be given the opportunity to make decisions that enhance their businesses and, therefore, the economy of Western Australia. They need to be able to do that without unnecessary red tape. It is something that this government is committed to, and to which the previous government did not give much attention.
There are some shining lights up there, one of which is Kilto station. The station lies some 20 kilometres to 30 kilometres east of Broome and has been very successful in picking up a special lease arrangement through which it is able to diversify. It has approximately seven centre-pivot irrigation systems; in the past, irrigation was restricted to horticulture but now Kilto is also irrigating fodder. Such diversification has resulted in an increase in capacity and infrastructure, such as the building of export stockyards accredited by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. These are designed to bulk up stock for export. Irrigation for fodder means that Kilto is able to supply to other pastoralists who are bringing their stock in, to maintain the condition of their stock so that they can bulk up and get a shipload out. The highlight of this is the capacity for these stations to be able to diversify their businesses and the capacity to use that opportunity to take pressure off the other parts of their pastoral lease. Many of those areas are under some strain. There is a real environmental benefit to be gained by supporting this position. These businesses need to go through a significant amount of red tape in order to arrange their lease conditions to achieve that sort of horticultural or fodder management. This government is committed to getting rid of some of that red tape. We understand that there are necessary processes to go through, but it is my commitment, through my agency, to put processes in place to allow diversification and to improve the sustainability of businesses. One of the side effects will be to take pressure off pastoral areas. To that end, I have tasked my department to provide me with advice on ways to achieve further diversification for pastoralists. I will seek the department’s advice on the need for a cross-portfolio review of tenure and any proposed terms of reference for a ministerial reference group to oversee that review. I have also asked the department to look at procedural improvements, including the establishment of a diversification unit. Thirdly, the department will look at a number of options that can be utilised by leaseholders to fast-track investment and diversification. This government believes that pastoralists need to be given the opportunity to make decisions that enhance their businesses and, therefore, the economy of Western Australia. They need to be able to do that without unnecessary red tape. It is something that this government is committed to, and to which the previous government did not give much attention.
The highlight of this is the capacity for these stations to be able to diversify their businesses and the capacity to use that opportunity to take pressure off the other parts of their pastoral lease. Many of those areas are under some strain. There is a real environmental benefit to be gained by supporting this position. These businesses need to go through a significant amount of red tape in order to arrange their lease conditions to achieve that sort of horticultural or fodder management. This government is committed to getting rid of some of that red tape. We understand that there are necessary processes to go through, but it is my commitment, through my agency, to put processes in place to allow diversification and to improve the sustainability of businesses. One of the side effects will be to take pressure off pastoral areas. To that end, I have tasked my department to provide me with advice on ways to achieve further diversification for pastoralists. I will seek the department’s advice on the need for a cross-portfolio review of tenure and any proposed terms of reference for a ministerial reference group to oversee that review. I have also asked the department to look at procedural improvements, including the establishment of a diversification unit. Thirdly, the department will look at a number of options that can be utilised by leaseholders to fast-track investment and diversification. This government believes that pastoralists need to be given the opportunity to make decisions that enhance their businesses and, therefore, the economy of Western Australia. They need to be able to do that without unnecessary red tape. It is something that this government is committed to, and to which the previous government did not give much attention.
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