❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses the proposed horticultural development at Skuthorpe in the Kimberley, focusing on asparagus and table grape cultivation, water usage, labour requirements, and government advice. The response provides details on planting areas, water availability, grape varieties, pest management, and worker arrangements.
AnsweredQoN 3341Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the proposed horticultural development at Skuthorpe in the Kimberley, and I ask: (a) how many hectares of asparagus is planned to be grown; (b) how much water is available for the asparagus; (c) how many hectares of table grapes is planned to be grown; (d) what variety of table grapes is planned to be grown; (e) have table grapes been grown successfully on a commercial basis in the Broome area in the past: (i) if yes to (e), where and when has this been the case; (f) how will termites be managed in the table grapes and what chemicals are allowed to be used to treat them; (g) what other crops and how many hectares are planned to be grown; (h) how much water is available for these other crops; (i) how much labour is required to grow these crops; (j) is the Minister aware of whether the proponent will seek overseas workers; (k) who is the current lessee of the land at Skuthorpe; (l) according to question on notice 2054, asked in the Legislative Council on 2 April 2019 by Hon Robin Chapple, the Minister stated, "Kimberley Asparagus will trial 10 hectares of other high value crops including table grapes", did the proponent trial table grapes: (i) if no to (l), why not; (m) is the Minister aware of how much has been spent on planting table grapes at the site: (i) if yes to (m), how much has been spent; (n) has the Department advised the proponent on the likelihood of success in growing asparagus: (i) if yes to (n), will the Minister table the advice; and (o) how much water is available, in total, in the Skuthorpe area and how much is currently licensed for use and for what purpose?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 November 2020
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development
Response time
12 days
(a) 10 hectares of asparagus were planted in stage 1. If successful, the next stage would see 40 hectares planted.
(b) 2.7 gigalitres per annum is available in the Skuthorpe Subarea of the Broome Groundwater Area. The type of crop for which this water can be used is not specified.
(c) 52 hectares were planted in stage 1. If successful, the next stage would see 52 hectares planted.
(d) The grower has advised the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development that five varieties have been planted as a trial under stage 1.
(e) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is unaware of table grapes being successfully grown on a commercial basis in the Broome area in the past.
(f) Termite treatments will be applied as part of the land development and will be a chemical product that complies with the relevant particulars set out in the Register of Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical Products.
(g) No other crops are planned to be grown, other than (non-irrigated) cover crops to minimise erosion while developing land.
(h) Refer to (b).
(i) Two full time workers and up to 50 casual workers.
(j) Yes, Kimberley Table Grapes (Fruitico) is registered with the Commonwealth Government’s Seasonal Workers Program.
(k) Kimberley Asparagus is the head lessee, which subleases to Kimberley Table Grapes (Fruitico).
(l) Yes, the trial has been planted.
(m) No. That is a commercial decision and the State Government is not privy to that information.
(n) No.
(o) In addition to the 2.7 gigalitres per annum available in the Skuthorpe Subarea of the Broome Groundwater Area, there is currently 3.07 gigalitres per annum licenced for the following uses: horticulture, caravan and campground use, tree crops, turf, lawns and gardens, fodder, stock watering, washdown, native plant nursery and domestic use.
(b) 2.7 gigalitres per annum is available in the Skuthorpe Subarea of the Broome Groundwater Area. The type of crop for which this water can be used is not specified.
(c) 52 hectares were planted in stage 1. If successful, the next stage would see 52 hectares planted.
(d) The grower has advised the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development that five varieties have been planted as a trial under stage 1.
(e) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is unaware of table grapes being successfully grown on a commercial basis in the Broome area in the past.
(f) Termite treatments will be applied as part of the land development and will be a chemical product that complies with the relevant particulars set out in the Register of Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical Products.
(g) No other crops are planned to be grown, other than (non-irrigated) cover crops to minimise erosion while developing land.
(h) Refer to (b).
(i) Two full time workers and up to 50 casual workers.
(j) Yes, Kimberley Table Grapes (Fruitico) is registered with the Commonwealth Government’s Seasonal Workers Program.
(k) Kimberley Asparagus is the head lessee, which subleases to Kimberley Table Grapes (Fruitico).
(l) Yes, the trial has been planted.
(m) No. That is a commercial decision and the State Government is not privy to that information.
(n) No.
(o) In addition to the 2.7 gigalitres per annum available in the Skuthorpe Subarea of the Broome Groundwater Area, there is currently 3.07 gigalitres per annum licenced for the following uses: horticulture, caravan and campground use, tree crops, turf, lawns and gardens, fodder, stock watering, washdown, native plant nursery and domestic use.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.