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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 3345 asked in the Legislative Council on 21 October 2020 by Hon Robin Chapple

Question Directed to the: Minister for Regional Development
Parliament: 40 Session: 1


Question

I refer to irrigation for cattle in the Kimberley, and I ask:
(a) how many hectares have been cleared for irrigation at Mowanjum;
(b) how much Government funding was spent on the project;
(c) has a cost/benefit analysis for the Mowanjum Irrigation Trial been conducted to determine its economic viability:
(i) if yes to (c), will the Minister table it; and
(ii) if no to (c), why not;
(d) how many jobs have been created by the Mowanjum project;
(e) how many jobs are there currently in the Mowanjum project;
(f) how many Aboriginal people have jobs that are directly related to the Mowanjum irrigation project;
(g) did the Government receive or commissioned any reports on the economic viability of irrigated agriculture at Mowanjum:
(i) if yes to (g), will the Minister table the reports, now that sufficient time has passed to ensure they are no longer commercial in confidence;
(h) does the Minister have evidence to show that the project was economically viable without any Government subsidies:
(i) if yes to (h), will the Minister table the evidence;
(i) who is currently managing the irrigation at Mowanjum;
(j) does the Government have any calculations to show how much a kilogram of beef costs to produce at Mowanjum:
(i) if yes to (j), will the Minister table the details;
(k) what is the break-even cost per kilogram to produce beef in the Kimberley at today's live export average price; and
(l) if Bruce Cheung was not agisting cattle and managing the irrigation at Mowanjum, what evidence does the Government have to show that it would be a viable operation?

Answered on 26 November 2020

(a) Mowanjum has a clearing permit authorising the clearing of 116 hectares for pivot irrigation and dryland cultivation of fodder crops. At present, there are 38 hectares under irrigation.

(b) $3,551,139 (excluding GST).

(c) No.

     (i) Not applicable.

     (ii) As advised through Question on Notice 402, the economic analysis of the stand and graze irrigation model is the outcome of the project. The economic analysis has been completed and is documented in the Mowanjum Irrigation Trial Industry Report, which is available on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website and is tabled for your information (refer to tabled paper xxx).

(d) Two full time employment opportunities were directly funded during the term of the project. There were also an additional 15 local residents involved in an onsite training program to build further station infrastructure.

(e) The Mowanjum project trial was completed in 2018 and the site handed over to Mowanjum Aboriginal corporation who formed a partnership and lease the site to  Pardoo Beef Corporation. DPIRD has been advised that Pardoo Beef currently employs 5 staff at Mowanjum – 2 full time and 3 casual (seasonal) workers. Two of the casual (seasonal) staff are Aboriginal.

(f) See above. 

(g) Yes.

     (i)   Refer to the tabled Mowanjum Irrigation Trial Industry Report.

(h) Yes.

     (i) Refer to the tabled Mowanjum Irrigation Trial Industry Report.

(i) The Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Pardoo Beef Corporation.

(j) Yes. Through the trial, cost of production was $1.91 per kg.

     (i) Refer to the tabled Mowanjum Irrigation Trial Industry Report.

(k) In the week ending 4 October 2020, the current live export spot price (ex Broome) for Brahman cross steers and bulls was $3.20 per kilogram live weight. The cost of production would need to be equal to or less than this to break-even.

 (l) The tabled Mowanjum Irrigation Trial Industry Report outlines the economic viability of the site.