iuwung G ir aj M er ng ro o n o g r r Y o i o r r g w

e

a b

Y

The Ord-East Kimberley

N

n o

o o

i

t n

a g

r

o D

p a

r

w

o

a

C

n l

g

a

n A i b g i r

o Expansion Project GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN

ORD LAND RELEASE KUNUNURRA, , NOVEMBER 2012 The Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project is a State-owned regional development project. The State Government has extended and upgraded the main irrigation supply channel and is constructing sealed public roads to new farm areas, fully-funded by Royalties for Regions.

FOREWoRD

which will see the Ord Irrigation Scheme double to 29,000ha. The Miriuwung and Gajerrong The current Ord Irrigation Scheme peoples agreed economy of around $120million a year to relinquish their is expected to double following the native title interest completion of the Ord-East Kimberley over 65,000ha of Expansion Project. the East Kimberley The Ord Irrigation Scheme needs both region in exchange The State Government’s investment industry scale and diversity. The State for support to help our people and their in this Project is creating an exciting Government’s approach captures future generations to participate in the new economic growth centre in these aims. community and the economy. . It strengthens the East Kimberley’s potential to supply The key State-owned infrastructure agricultural produce for Australian established under the Ord-East and international markets. It develops Kimberley Expansion Project will assist Many of our people see the in unlocking the full agricultural potential Kununurra as a major regional hub with developments now occurring as a vibrant economy based on agriculture, of the region. a once in a lifetime opportunity mining and eco and cultural tourism, Up to 14,000ha of land has also been providing sustainable employment and identified for development in the Northern to improve the lives of the partnership opportunities for the region’s Territory and a further 30,000ha around current and future generations. Miriuwung and Gajerrong peoples. and to the north of Kununurra, may also The State Government has invested be suitable for agricultural development $311million through the Royalties in the future. Public road infrastructure for Regions program and a further built and owned by the State under the We are looking forward to developing our $11.5million through the Department Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project will own farm lands in the Goomig Farm Area of State Development for the delivery also support the potential development and the Knox Plain, as provided under the of key infrastructure to expand the of mineral deposits and land-based terms of the Ord Final Agreement (2005). gas deposits adjacent to the new Ord Irrigation Scheme. MG Corporation, on behalf of the agricultural land. A National Partnership Agreement Miriuwung and Gajerrong peoples, will between the State and Australian Western Australia welcomes private continue to explore opportunities for further Governments has seen the investment sector investment and believes development on MG traditional lands and of an additional $195million of Federal successes in the energy and resources trust that dealings and discussions with funding in social and community sector can be paralleled with building all stakeholders will continue to be based infrastructure in Kununurra, Wyndham agricultural capacity and contributing to on good-will to help us further realise our and surrounding communities. food security for Australia and the world. needs and aspirations. Significant upgrades have been made to Hon MLA Edna O’Malley school and health facilities, social and Premier; Minister for State Development Chair, Yawoorroong Miriuwung Gajerrong transitional housing, Kununurra airport Hon Brendon Grylls MLA Yirrgeb Noong Dawang Aboriginal and the Port of Wyndham. Minister for Regional Corporation (MG Corporation) This investment recognises the growing Development; Lands strategic importance of agricultural development of Australia’s north, What this means for the east kimberley, Western Australia and Australia

Kununurra has great potential to An average of 20-25 per cent of Construction employment averaging develop into a strategic agricultural the workforce on this Project are 350 persons from 2014-2018 centre with its close proximity to Asia, indigenous. In August 2012, the Operational staff starting at favourable climate and reliable water. construction workforce was 280 people approximately 100 in 2017 ramping It is fast becoming the focus of national of which 96 people were indigenous. A up to more than 400 by 2021 once and international interest. review of the Project (2010 and 2011 full production is achieved indigenous outcomes) highlighted: The Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Potential ethanol plant Project is a major stimulus for the East 117 indigenous people were engaged Potential for a medium density Kimberley economy. in the Ord Project fibre board plant producing up to 300,000 tonnes per annum The Project has successfully partnered 86 (74 per cent) of these people were Possible establishment of an with the Australian Government to unemployed before the Project industrial park secure an additional $195million for The $700million KAI proposal to lease Major upgrade of Wyndham social and community infrastructure and develop the Goomig Farm and Port facilities bringing the combined investment Knox Plain areas is expected to provide: by State and Australian Governments Contract-grower opportunities for to more than $515million. Housing existing landholders in sugar and construction doubled in Kununurra rotational cropping during 2009-2010 following the announcement and commencement Production of up to four million project financials tonnes of sugar cane producing of the Project. The following key assets will have up to 500,000 tonnes of sugar been created at the completion of New businesses have been either crystal per annum the Project: created or moved to Kununurra as Multiplier effects on local businesses A new 31km main irrigation a result of the Project and around from a large-scale sugar industry 35 per cent of the Project funds channel built with the capacity Development of sugar mill at an are being channelled through to expand into the Northern estimated cost of $425million with regional businesses. Territory, to be transferred to potential for expansion the Water Corporation Development of a co-generation 40km of new public roads to power plant with potential output be transferred to the Shire of of 60 to 80 megawatts and ability Wyndham-East Kimberley to supply surplus power back Secondary irrigation channels, into the grid drains and flood protection levy Strategy to underpin local indigenous Garrjang Village providing civil contractors accommodation for 252 workers Ord Stage 1 infill Ongoing program to identify suitable land parcels in The big picture and adjacent to Ord Stage 1. The need for scale is the biggest factor in growing the north into a resilient and productive agricultural Ord West Bank The State Government has determined region. While diversity is important, it is critical for the industry to be underpinned by anchor crops that are that the 1,700ha Ord West Bank lands will be of sufficient scale and profitability. The Government’s investment strategy focuses on providing multi user sub-divided into smaller farm lots to create new infrastructure and land availability that supports and attracts further private sector investment. opportunities for high value horticulture crops. About 1,000ha are expected to be arable, allowing for setbacks and buffer areas. This is expected to provide for up to 25 new farms run by local producers. This land is anticipated to be offered for sale by tender in 2014-15. JOSEPHJOSEPH BONAPARTEBONAPARTE GULFGULF CAMBRIDGECAMBRIDGE Darram 200ha variable soils, suitable for a range of GULFGULF horticultural crops. Ord East Bank 250-800ha levee soils, suitable for a range of horticultural crops.

Northern Territory (Keep Plains) COCKATOOCOCKATOO SANDSSANDS 14,000ha of predominately black clay soils with pockets of levee soils suitable for a range of broad acre crops, short to medium term prospect.

CONSOLIDATED PASTORAL CO. lands (privately owned) MIJINGMIJING Northern Territory Northern Territory 5,000ha black clay and levee soils suitable for a Western Australia Western Australia range of broad acre and horticultural crops. Cockatoo/Pago Sands Ning Bing (25,000ha) Victoria Hwy and Carlton Hill Road precincts (5,000ha) – further investigation required (soil/water), medium to long term prospect. CARLTONCARLTON HILLHILL STATIONSTATION Mantinea JEMANDI-WOONINGIMJEMANDI-WOONINGIM 4,000ha of black clay and levee soils suitable for a range of broad acre and horticultural crops, medium term prospect. COCKATOOCOCKATOO SANDSSANDS KEEPKEEP RIVERRIVER SORBYSORBY HILLSHILLS PLAINPLAIN GOOMIGGOOMIG MINERALMINERAL LEASELEASE WYNDHAMWYNDHAM

CPCCPC LANDSLANDS PARRY’SPARRY’S NATURENATURE ORDORD RIVERRIVER ORDORD RIVERRIVER

RESERVERESERVE PINCOMBEPINCOMBE the ord-east kimberley expansion KNOXKNOX MANTINEAMANTINEA

Late 2012 GREATGREAT NORTHERN NORTHERN HWY HWY

Short term ORDORD WESTWEST ORDORD EASTEAST BANKBANK LANDLAND BANKBANK LANDLAND IVANHOEIVANHOE STATIONSTATION Medium term NGAMOOWALEMNGAMOOWALEM KUNUNURRAKUNUNURRA Long term COCKATOOCOCKATOO SANDSSANDS BARRBEMBARRBEM ELEL QUESTROQUESTRO Conservation area STATIONSTATION

´´ VICTORIAVICTORIA HWYHWY Ord Stage 1 00 33 66 99 1212 DARRAMDARRAM ORDORD RIVERRIVER KilometresKilometres Environment and Conservation The big picture The State is creating six conservation areas of The need for scale is the biggest factor in growing the north into a resilient and productive agricultural 154,000ha to be granted freehold to the MG people region. While diversity is important, it is critical for the industry to be underpinned by anchor crops that are for preservation of indigenous culture, environment and biodiversity. of sufficient scale and profitability. The Government’s investment strategy focuses on providing multi user infrastructure and land availability that supports and attracts further private sector investment. Land tenure The State will continue to own the new farm land. KAI will develop and farm the land under lease. For environmental control purposes, some farm areas will be leased for 10 years and the remainder for JOSEPHJOSEPH BONAPARTEBONAPARTE GULFGULF 50 years with options to negotiate lease extensions. CAMBRIDGECAMBRIDGE Security of tenure is important to enable the scale of GULFGULF private sector investment required. Goomig and Knox Plain 7,400ha and 6,000ha respectively with black clay soils. COCKATOOCOCKATOO SANDSSANDS

MIJINGMIJING Northern Territory Northern Territory Western Australia Western Australia

CARLTONCARLTON HILLHILL STATIONSTATION The ord-east kimberley JEMANDI-WOONINGIMJEMANDI-WOONINGIM expansion projects proximity to export markets COCKATOOCOCKATOO SANDSSANDS KEEPKEEP RIVERRIVER SORBYSORBY HILLSHILLS PLAINPLAIN GOOMIGGOOMIG MINERALMINERAL LEASELEASE Seoul Tokyo WYNDHAMWYNDHAM Shanghai CPCCPC LANDSLANDS PARRY’SPARRY’S NATURENATURE ORDORD RIVERRIVER ORDORD RIVERRIVER 8,000km RESERVERESERVE PINCOMBEPINCOMBE KNOXKNOX MANTINEAMANTINEA

GREATGREAT NORTHERN NORTHERN HWY HWY

Singapore ORDORD WESTWEST ORDORD EASTEAST 5,000km BANKBANK LANDLAND BANKBANK LANDLAND IVANHOEIVANHOE Jakarta STATIONSTATION

NGAMOOWALEMNGAMOOWALEM KUNUNURRAKUNUNURRA 3,000km Kununurra COCKATOOCOCKATOO SANDSSANDS BARRBEMBARRBEM ELEL QUESTROQUESTRO Brisbane STATIONSTATION Sydney

´´ VICTORIAVICTORIA HWYHWY Melbourne ORDORD RIVERRIVER 00 33 66 99 1212 DARRAMDARRAM N KilometresKilometres Broader northern territory expansion

Regular project updates have been provided to the Northern Territory and Australian Governments. A key outcome that recognises the national significance of the Ord Scheme is the establishment of an Ord Inter-governmental Working Group in July 2012 to investigate the potential of expanding the Ord into the Northern Territory.

Produce of the Ord Irrigation Scheme The Ord region plays an important role in Australia’s domestic food supply chain, supplying produce in the Australian winter/spring when production in other regions is low. foods includes rockmelon, watermelon, pumpkin, red grapefruit, mango, beans, chickpeas and chia. Ord produce is exported to New Zealand, Japan, Europe, the Middle East, North America and China. About the ord

The expansion of the Ord-East Kimberley to invest in a new main irrigation To expand the scale of the existing Irrigation Scheme has been decades in supply channel and core transport irrigated farm area the State has sought the making. The agricultural potential infrastructure was a critical step a credible and committed investor to of the Ord region was first recognised towards unlocking the full economic undertake a long-term development by explorer Alexander Forrest in 1879. potential of the region. The Ord-East lease over approximately 13,400ha of The first attempts at tropical agriculture Kimberley Expansion Project is a new land and establish a sustainable on the Ord River were undertaken confluence of nation building ideas agricultural industry that will underpin between 1941 and 1946 by the Durack with two primary objectives – to carry the economic and social future of family. The investment by previous the available waters of the region. State and Australian Governments in to new farm areas and to engage the The development of new on-farm the Kununurra Diversion Dam in 1962 Miriuwung and Gajerrong peoples infrastructure, associated processing and the creation of Lake Argyle in in meaningful partnerships and facilities, farm industry support, and 1972 provided the foundation for major sustainable jobs. The region has new storage and loading facilities agricultural and horticultural industries. the soils and agricultural expertise required at Wyndham Port will be the The decision by the Liberal-National to make the Ord Irrigation Scheme responsibility of the successful private State Government in December 2008 a world leader. sector proponent.

A new exciting phase for the Ord Expansion

Kimberley Agricultural Investment Pty and share-farming with Australian growers. Ltd (KAI), an Australian private company The proposal allows for other horticulture wholly-owned by Shanghai Zhongfu and field crops to be grown in rotation (Group) Co Limited whose parent with suger cane on the new farm land. company is major Chinese construction company Shanghai Zhongfu Real Estate Traditional owner benefits Co Limited, is the preferred proponent for KAI will develop and implement an the new irrigated agricultural land in the Aboriginal Development Package Goomig Farm Area and the Knox Plain. (ADP) for the Knox Plain with the Following finalisation of a Development Miriuwung and Gajerrong peoples. Agreement that documents the timelines, This is expected to include preferred responsibilities and obligations, KAI contractor arrangements, and further will lease and develop the Goomig training and employment opportunities Farm area, and progress approvals and for Miriuwung and Gajerrong peoples. subsequent development of the Knox The ADP will build on the success of Plain. the existing ADP between the State KAI proposes to invest approximately Government and the Miriuwung and $700million to establish a sustainable Gajerrong peoples for the Goomig large-scale sugar industry including a Farm Area. This supports training and refinery with power co-generation and employment of around 150 indigenous a major upgrade to Wyndham Port. people, new indigenous business and The company also wishes to explore any capacity building for the Miriuwung opportunity that may arise for the future Gajerrong (MG) Corporation. development of a further 14,000ha into Continued indigenous employment the Northern Territory. options and new business opportunities KAI is a company experienced in will be the focus of the ADP. complex construction projects, and its The Government is proud of the strong proposal to establish a sugar industry will support and collaborative partnership deliver significant regional development with the MG Corporation. outcomes for the East Kimberley region. KAI has engaged Australian expertise to develop a number of farming models that include corporate farming, sub-leasing Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development and Lands

For more information about the Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project, contact: Director Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project Department of Regional Development and Lands Tel: +61 8 9168 0604 +61 8 6552 4400 Free call: 1800 735 784 (country only) Email: [email protected] www.rdl.wa.gov.au/royalties/r4rkimberley www.landcorp.com.au/ordlandrelease www.dsd.wa.gov.au/8161.aspx

Disclaimer The Information contained in this publication is provided in good faith and believed to be accurate at time of publication. The state shall in no way be liable for any loss sustained or incurred by anyone relying on the information. While every effort has been made to vet the contents of this report, it may contain references to, or images of, people who are now deceased. The Department of Regional Development and Lands regret any offence this may cause. This brochure is printed on EcoStar paper, an environmentally responsible 100% recycled paper made from 100% post- consumer waste that is FSC CoC certified and bleached chlorine free (PCF). The mill operates under the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System which guarantees continuous improvement and is PEFC certified for traceability. © 2012. LC 2214 11/2012