Land and water investigations and targeted capital investment underpin economic growth for development in Northern Western Australia

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

6-2016

Conference Title

Developing Northern Australia Conference 2016

Place of Publication

Darwin

ISBN

978-1-922232-47-2

Keywords

Irrigation, groundwater, resources, infrastructure, Western Australia

Disciplines

Hydrology | Natural Resources and Conservation | Sustainability | Water Resource Management

Abstract

The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) is finalising four years and over $44m of investigations and capital works in northern Western Australia. This work is part of the State’s goal of doubling the value of irrigated agriculture by 2025. To achieve this goal, we identified over 85,000 ha of new land with suitable water in four (4) primary development zones. The most prospective areas are in the East and West Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne. This report focusses on three targeted land and water investigations ($19m; Kununurra – Cockatoo Sands, La Grange, Pilbara) and one specific ($25m; Carnarvon) investigation and capital works project.

Land and water outcomes are:

  • Ord Stage 3 - 8000 ha of Cockatoo sands ready for the use or market (in addition to proponents now developing 20,000 ha of black soils de-risked in Ord Stage 1),
  • La Grange - identification of 50,000 ha of highly suitable land with at least 50 GL/a of water allocated for 5000 ha (10ML per hectare) to support emerging proposals
  • Pilbara - identification of at least 3,000 ha at six development nodes, crop assessment and market analysis, with up to 60 GL of available water from four source types in the Pilbara ready for investigation, with ~100 GL/a addition dewater opportunities
  • Carnarvon - capital works being finalised to deliver 4 GL/a and bring at least 400 ha into horticultural production and a further 2 GL/a identified for growth or increased reliability

In the process of undertaking these projects, DAFWA and their partners have learnt some key lessons for Government and Industry. Specifically:

  • Investing ≈ 1% of development costs in land and water assessment improves the chance of success of projects and diminishes risks to developers and Government.
  • Developers often work with impatient capital and are managing multiple government and non-government processes; accruing upfront costs and lengthening timeframes. Thus a pre-emptive approach based on prior investigation of resources, engagement and analysis, is a key principle for the State that also enables proponents to succeed.
  • Fit-for-purpose science is critical to the success of projects by reducing approval issues due to poor site choice and both local and cumulative regional impacts.
  • Engaging with the existing landholders, Native Title holders and key stakeholders early in the process is critical. This requires dedicated time and resources to boost capacity to participate in, fairly assess and benefit from development opportunities and approval processes.
  • Focusing investors on the least risky and most suitable location, lowest development cost water and guiding proponents on the most appropriate irrigation options and development pathway, is critical to securing viable economic sustainable agriculture.

Comments

Published by the Association for Sustainability in Business Inc.

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