Food and water security funding flows to Southern Forests growers

• 69 horticulture growers to share in $4.28 million from the State's Southern Forests Infrastructure Support Scheme
• Cook Labor Government assisting Southern Forests growers to improve water security and climate resilience

The Cook Labor Government is futureproofing Western Australia's Southern Forests food bowl, with grants to help 69 local horticulture businesses in the Manjimup-Pemberton region improve water security and climate resilience.

The growers will share in $4.28 million from the State's Southern Forests Infrastructure Support Scheme to upgrade a range of on-farm irrigation systems and devices that improve water use efficiency.

The funding will assist Manjimup-Pemberton growers to co-invest in sprinklers, drippers, automation systems and software, as well as water management devices, such as probes and water meters, or measures to reduce evapotranspiration, like bird or crop netting.

The measures will support growers' efforts to build stronger, more sustainable operations that can endure climate variability - supporting WA's food security.

The State Government funding will support a wide variety of projects, with Applewood Orchard using its $34,000 grant towards purchasing an automated water monitoring irrigation system, crop netting and windbreak trees on its Manjimup property.

Manjimup Kiwi will receive $100,000 to help erect fixed crop netting over its gold kiwi fruit orchard, while Appadene Park will use its $40,000 grant to install drip irrigation for 1,500 trees at its Manjimup avocado orchard.

The Southern Forests is an important supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables, producing 67 per cent of the State's avocados, kiwi fruit and processing potatoes, 61 per cent of WA apples and 35 per cent of seed potatoes.

The program complements other WA Government initiatives in the region, including the recent $2 million announcement to strengthen water monitoring in the Warren-Donnelly region, which will provide streamflow and water data to help growers make informed management decisions.

The Cook Government has also invested $4 million in a collaboration with the Federal Government to install a new Doppler radar for the region, providing real-time data on rainfall intensity, windspeed and direction to support growers and emergency services.

For more information Southern Forests Infrastructure Support Scheme and the State Government's $15.3 million investment in the region's water security visit: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/waterforfood/water-security-southern-forests-horticulture-industry.

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:

"The Southern Forests Infrastructure Support Scheme is helping local growers invest in the long-term sustainability of their businesses by adopting water efficiency infrastructure, devices and systems.

"This important fresh produce production area endured one of WA's driest summers on record earlier this year, highlighting the importance of this initiative to support water security and improve climate resilience.

"The Southern Forests is a valuable contributor to the State's fresh produce supplies and the economy, and it's important to ensure these businesses are equipped to take on the production challenges of the future."

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

"Manjimup-Pemberton is the fresh produce capital of southern WA. Two-thirds of the State's avocados, kiwi fruits and processing potatoes come from the Southern Forests food bowl - so boosting water security for this important region is absolutely vital.

"These grants will help growers implement practical measures to improve their water efficiency - such as water monitoring systems, bird and crop netting, and drip irrigation.

"With hot, dry summers set to become our new normal, climate resilience has never been more important, and the Cook Labor Government is committed to helping growers use our most precious resource as efficiently as possible."

Comments attributed to Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:

"I'm proud to be part of the Cook Government and our investment into the Manjimup- Pemberton region, which will help secure sustainable water resources for the local community and horticultural industry into the future.

"I want to acknowledge the local growers' commitment to co-invest in this grant program -especially in the face of dry conditions impacting these businesses earlier this year.

"I look forward to continuing to work with the Warren Donnelly Water Advisory Committee on water planning for the catchment."