The
Ord-East Kimberley Expansion
Project, funded through the
State Government’s Royalties for Regions program, continues to grow with the announcement of preferred proponents for two parcels of land
in the Packsaddle area, south of Kununurra.
Gray Australia Pty Ltd
has been announced as the successful preferred proponent of the 360 hectare
first parcel and J H & CS Engelke as the successful preferred proponent for
the 70ha second parcel of land.
Minister for Regional
Development Terry Redman said the release of land in the Packsaddle area is an
excellent opportunity for the local private sector to establish, or grow,
existing enterprises. Both proponents are local, family owned and operated,
farming enterprises that intend to grow a range of horticultural crops including
watermelons, pumpkins and grains.
Gray Australia Pty
Ltd, trading as Ceres Farm, was established in 1994 and produces premium,
high-value agricultural produce including watermelons, pumpkins, chia,
chickpeas, sorghum and maize. The extra land in parcel one is located adjacent
to their existing farm allowing increased growing capacity in production and
employment opportunities.
J H & C S Engelke
farm mangoes in close proximity to parcel two which they intend to use to
increase their farming operation to include broad-acre horticultural
lines.
“It is pleasing to see
the State Government’s targeted investment in arterial road and irrigation
infrastructure for the Ord Expansion Project is now having a ripple effect which
is increasing interest in developing other areas of the Ord Valley,” Minister
Redman said.