Northern beef infrastructure projects supported
Two key studies to support the delivery of priority infrastructure projects to service the northern beef industry in Western Australia have recently been completed and another is currently underway.
Seed funding of $320,000 has been used to investigate the feasibility of infrastructure projects across the northern beef industry as part of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Northern Beef Futures project.
These priority projects were identified as part of the Northern Beef Infrastructure Review, commissioned by the Department and MLA in 2016.
The Shire of Halls Creek was awarded a $90,000 grant to conduct a feasibility and engineering study to investigate the upgrading of 173km of the Duncan Road east of Halls Creek.
This will improve trip reliability and safety for all road users, including road trains servicing the northern beef industry in transit between Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association (KPCA) was awarded $130,000 to plan and scope the development of wash-down facilities in Broome and Halls Creek to improve biosecurity infrastructure. A wash-down facility in Broome was considered one of the highest priority projects for the development of a business case.
The Pilbara Development Commission (PDC) received $100,000 to investigate export facilities in the Pilbara, including a cattle holding yard close to the port and a wash-down facility for biosecurity. The study is completed/nearing completion.
These studies will potentially leverage additional funding from State or Federal infrastructure sources and provide private enterprise with commercial opportunities to build and operate these projects.
The Northern Beef Futures project is supported by Royalties for Regions.
For more information on the Shire of Halls Creek grant contact, contact market analyst Mark Henry on +61 (0)8 9780 6185 or mark.henry@dpird.wa.gov.au.
For information on the KPCA or PDC grants, contact Productivity and Profitability manager Trevor Price on +61 (0)8 9194 1441 or trevor.price@dpird.wa.gov.au.