$200,000 for upgrading Wyndham Crocodile Farm water supply system

9/7/94

The State Government will make available $200,000 to help the Wyndham Crocodile Farm upgrade its water supply system.

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said today the upgrading program would allow the operators of the farm to increase crocodile stocks and help ensure that Wyndham retained a major new industry and tourist attraction.

Mr Cowan said that State Cabinet had approved a financial assistance package consisting of a $65,000 grant from the Department of Commerce and Trade and a $135,000 Government loan.

He said there was provision for the loan to be converted into a grant if Wyndham Crocodile Farm installed an export-standard abattoir within three years.

The money represented part-payment of the cost of upgrading and expanding the farm's fresh water supply system to enable it to increase stocks from 3,000 to 4,000 crocodiles initially.

This work would entail construction of dams to collect run-off water as well as installation of pumps, pipelines and a recycling system.

The company would provide the balance of funding for the project, which has an estimated total cost of almost $400,000.

"An adequate and assured water supply is essential for the farm's expansion and future viability.  However, the cost of water from regular sources is considered to be prohibitively high," Mr Cowan said.

"It is important for the Wyndham community that the farm remains in the town as it has become a major tourist attraction for the area.

"The farm currently employs nine people and spends about $250,000 a year on goods and services in the Wyndham community.  The company has plans to increase employment opportunities.

"The company has also indicated that it will soon introduce a tourist bus service from Kununurra --- with overnight stays for visitors --- which could generate an additional $100,000 a year for Wyndham."

Mr Cowan said the proposal to build an export abattoir for crocodile meat would add another dimension to Wyndham's economic base.

"Crocodiles are synonymous with the Kimberley and there is great scope in development of a truly home-grown industry which the rest of the world can identify with the region," he said. 

"There is a growing gourmet market for crocodile meat and pate, while crocodile leather products have long been sought after.

"It is important that regions such as the Kimberley, and the individual towns, capitalise on their natural advantages by developing distinctive products for world markets."

It was anticipated that work on the upgrading would be completed before advent of the wet season.

Media contact:  Peter Jackson  222 9595