Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 3342 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

Regarding the expenditure on irrigation in the Kimberley since the McGowan Government was elected, I ask:
(a) how much has the Department spent on irrigation projects in the Kimberley on:
(i) the facilitation of irrigation through infrastructure; and
(ii) reports and assessment of irrigation projects in the Kimberley;
(b) will the Minister provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure;
(c) has the Water for Food project in the Kimberley been completed:
(i) if yes to (c), how much was spent on the project by the Barnett Grylls Government;
(ii) if yes to (c), how much was spent on the project by the McGowan Government; and
(iii) if no to (c), when is the Water for Food project expected to be complete and how much further funding is allocated to it;
(d) how many jobs have been created as a result of the Water for Food project in the Kimberley;
(e) how many jobs for Aboriginal people have been created as a result of the Water for Food project in the Kimberley; and
(f) has the Water for Food project in the Kimberley been evaluated:
(i) if no to (f), why not; and
(ii) if yes to (f), will the Minister table the evaluation?

Answered on 26 November 2020

(a) (i) Outside of the Ord River Irrigation Area, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has spent $93,089 on infrastructure as part of its own irrigation research trial at Skuthorpe, near Broome.

     (ii)   Outside of the Ord River Irrigation Area, DPIRD has spent $1,075,246 on reports and assessment relating to irrigation research and development activities.

 (b)     Expenditure for the period March 2017 to October 2020 consists of the following:

Project

Item of Expenditure

Expenditure (excl GST)

Infrastructure

 

 

DPIRD Irrigation Research Trial (Skuthorpe)

1 centre pivot and supporting infrastructure

$93,089

Reports and Assessment

 

 

Mowanjum Irrigation Trial

Mowanjum Irrigation Trial - Industry Report 2018

$45,450

Kimberley Pilbara Cattleman’s Association Grower Grant

Delivery of the report ‘Irrigated Fodder and Grazing Animal Production Systems Analysis for the Northern Beef Industry’

$198,000

DPIRD Mosaic Irrigation Project

Salaries and On Costs (technical and professional staff)

$628,535

 

Operating costs - weed risk trials, plant analysis, economic analysis and preparation of the final report (yet to be completed)

$114,542

 

Meat and Livestock Australia - administration costs

$88,719

 

(c)     No.

          (i) Not applicable.

          (ii) Not applicable.

          (iii) 30 June 2021. $609,000 remains.

 (d)    (e)   With respect to (d) and (e) The primary objective of Water for Food was to identify water and land resources, as well as irrigation technologies, that could enable Western Australia’s fresh food and animal protein production to increase its contribution to regional economies

The Water for Food Program sought to improve data and knowledge of resources to create an investment ready environment, which in turn would create economic opportunity and employment over time as public, business and the private sector partnered with local land holders to explore development opportunity.

The program included a limited number of specific land development activities, such as the land release at Skuthorpe, which has been leased to Kimberley Asparagus (and aims to employ two full time and 50 casual workers) and the Mowanjum Project which currently employs five staff. 

Other projects such as the Ord Bonaparte, West Canning Basin, Fitzroy Valley Groundwater Investigation and the Knowsley Groundwater Investigations have increased available data and improved knowledge of resources. The information collected as part of the Fitzroy and Knowsley investigations have informed and culminated in the updated groundwater resource information that was included in the draft Derby Water Allocation Plan released last week, which will guide future investment and decision making on the Derby Peninsula.

Given the WFF projects were targeted at improving the understanding the physical environment and parameters for future development, rather than development itself, job creation is more futuristic than immediate. It is hard to quantify what level of development and hence job creation will occur on the back of the knowledge gained, but using the Skuthorpe asparagus and grapes as an example it would be reasonable to suggest that job creation through future development will be significant.

As at the 2016 census, there were 872 people employed in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Industry in the Kimberley, representing 6 per cent of all jobs. With 90 pastoral leases across the region, a number of which are running below peak production level and high unemployment rates at 16 per cent in 2019, opportunities to diversify and sustainably grow the productivity of the Agricultural sector in the Kimberley is an important economic driver. Not only does it provide direct employment in development projects, but indirectly boosts the regional economy through employment in industries such as transport services, trades, accommodation and retail outlets, manufacturing and construction to name but a few.

 (f)    No.

         (i)   A series of investigations and outcome reports were delivered under the program and are available on the DPIRD’s website. The project is not yet complete but will, upon completion, deliver a project acquittal against funding  and milestones.

  (ii) Not applicable.