Agri Buzz: Western Australia to release 15,200 hectares of new farm land
Western Australia announced it will make available 15,200 hectares of new irrigable farm land near Kununurra in the state's deep north, more than doubling the size of an existing irrigation area, with the government hoping to attract interest from foreign investors. The existing Ord River irrigation area was set up in the 1960s aiming to combine use of some of the massive volumes of water available in the wet season and vast areas of unused land.
The area currently comprises 14,000 hectares of farms, growing a variety of crops including cotton, rice, chia, sorghum, pumpkins, melons, mangoes and sandalwood, and even some sugar cane with varying degrees of success over the years. State Premier Colin Barnett said the new land release will further cement the Ord River irrigation area's reputation as a world-class agricultural precinct and provides opportunities for short, medium and long-term agricultural land development for a variety of crops.
The release of the land comes at a time of increasing concern within Australia and some other countries about purchases of farm land by foreigners. Last year, Brazil decided to limit the amount of land foreigners can buy. But State Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the area was already attracting significant interest and this latest land release would help draw private sector investment into the growing region.
The multiple land release will draw both national and international attention from purchasers looking to benefit from the Ord's reliable water supply, productive soils and ideal growing climate, he said in a joint statement.
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