The Liberal-National Government’s visionary plan to expand the Ord irrigation area into a world-class agricultural precinct took a major step forward today with the commencement of earthworks on the district’s main (M1) water supply channel.

The arrival of excavators on the M1 channel kick-started a project that would ultimately double the Ord irrigation area to 28,000 hectares, with the first release of the new agricultural blocks expected by 2011-12.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls was in Kununurra to witness the commencement of work and to chair a meeting of the State Government’s Ord Steering Committee, the peak body set up to drive the project.

“Seeing the earthworks start is exciting because it represents a tangible step forward in the creation of a world-class agricultural project,” Mr Grylls said.

“Our aim is to see Kununurra emerge as a major regional city with a vibrant economy founded on agriculture and eco and cultural tourism.”

The Minister said the roll-out of agricultural infrastructure was the central plank in a major social and economic enhancement package for the entire East Kimberley.

The Liberal-National Government had committed $220million over the next four years under the Royalties for Regions program and this was supported by $195million over the next two years from the Federal Government.

The Ord East Kimberley expansion package would see investment in Kununurra’s airport capacity and the Wyndham port, and a much-needed boost for social infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, housing and early childhood facilities.

Mr Grylls said while State money would be largely directed to the roll-out of agricultural land and associated infrastructure, it would also support projects that stimulated job opportunities, education and training for indigenous people in the East Kimberley.

To underpin the focus on indigenous development in the region, the Minister announced projects to assist the Miriuwung Gajerrong (MG) people:

• $1.7million for the construction of a health education unit employing health professionals encouraging local Aboriginal people to take charge of their health and lifestyle. This was a partnership project with the Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service and would include employment opportunities for MG people
• $580,000 over three years to a program aimed at preserving the Miriuwung and Gajerrong languages. The grant includes funding for up to 12 positions for MG people as language workers and teachers. A total of $197,843 is for the first year of the project.
• $145,500 plus operational costs for two MG youth worker positions to work on youth projects and to be placed or seconded to an appropriate agency with supervisory capacity.

The health education unit, language and youth worker initiatives were prioritised by the MG people and funding sourced from the Ord Enhancement Scheme developed as part of the State Government’s Ord Final Agreement with the Miriuwung Gajerrong.

“We want to make sure that as the Ord project grows and Kununurra heads towards regional city status, that we foster every opportunity for the MG people to be an integral part of the development,” Mr Grylls said.