Gascoyne food bowl expansion in the pipeline

The opening today of the Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline Project paves the way for a major expansion of one of Western Australia's most important horticultural production areas.

  • Improved water supply and security for Carnarvon fruit & vegetable growers

  • $45million in Royalties for Regions funding for Gascoyne food bowl

  • $20million for flood mitigation works

The opening today of the Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline Project paves the way for a major expansion of one of Western Australia's most important horticultural production areas.

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman and Water Minister Bill Marmion were in Carnarvon to mark the completion of the $19.9million pipeline.

"This project represents water security for fruit and vegetable producers in the Carnarvon area - without it, any expansion of the Gascoyne food bowl would not be possible," Mr Redman said.

Water Minister Bill Marmion praised the involvement of the local community in supporting the project, in particular the Gascoyne Water Cooperative (GWC).

"The new high density polyethylene pipeline will be a more efficient irrigation system, using water where it's needed and without waste," Mr Marmion said.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said that with the pipeline's completion, the next step was further flood mitigation work and expansion of the Gascoyne food bowl, an initiative funded by the State Government's Royalties for Regions program.

Funding of $25million will go towards horticultural development and expansion which could see more high quality produce available to WA consumers as well as export opportunities for Gascoyne producers.  A further $20million would contribute to Stage 2 flood mitigation works.

"This investment will ensure the development of an important horticultural precinct and help alleviate the potentially devastating impact of flooding in this region, as we saw with the December 2010 floods," Mr Grylls said.

      Fact File

  • The 31km pipeline will transport groundwater from borefields across the 1,200ha Carnarvon horticulture precinct

  • It will provide water for nearly 200 growers and be capable of servicing a proposed 400ha expansion

  • Project funding sources are Royalties for Regions ($7.4m); GWC ($5.9m), and the Federal Government's Water for the Future initiative ($6.6m)

  • Carnarvon horticultural district produces more than $70m worth of fruit & vegetables each year

Agriculture and Food Minister's office - 6552 6700

Water Minister's office - 6552 6800

Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 5500