FUNDS TO FLOW TO SOUTHERN FORESTS IRRIGATION SCHEME

The Southern Forest Irrigation Scheme has now been fully funded thanks to a $39.7 million injection by the Morrison Government, according to Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson.

 

Mr Wilson said he was proud the Morrison Government has delivered such an important water infrastructure project for the Southern Forest food bowl region and will be a game changer for the agriculture sector.

 

“I’ve been working with the proponents for some time and I have been a strong advocate for the scheme in Canberra,” Mr Wilson said.

 

“I brought Assistant Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Richard Colbeck to Manjimup last month to meet with the scheme proponents and ensure the project was front and centre in the minds of the decision makers.

 

“The Southern Forest region is a major food producer for WA so it’s essential to guarantee future water resources into the future.

 

“The Scheme will increase water availability to our job-producing regional industries. Greater water security will provide growers with the confidence to invest in their business to underpin an expansion of high value irrigated horticulture of up to 1,675 hectares.”

 

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the project would be funded as part of the Morrison Government’s historic investment to deliver secure water supplies to unlock the agricultural potential of our regions.

 

“The Morrison Government is determined to unlock the economic potential of our regions and we know often the answer is simply, ‘just add water’,” Mr McCormack said.