Study shows projected population growth in Ord River scheme area

13/9/96

A new study projects a possible population growth of up to 2,700 by the year 2006 as a result of the expansion of the Ord River irrigation scheme in the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley.

The population study was released today by Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett and Primary Industry Minister Monty House.

Stage two of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme centres on adding a further 64,000ha to the 14,000ha presently under cultivation near Kununurra.

The $270 million expansion, most of which is expected to be undertaken by the private sector, will create basic infrastructure such as main supply channels, drainage systems and perimeter flood protection levees, to allow a variety of broadacre cropping and intense horticulture projects.

Prepared for the Department of Resources Development by consultants Naralup Associates, the study has assessed farming, tourism and associated population development over the next 10 years, by which time it has been assumed the broadacre farms will be fully developed.

"The study predicts a population increase of up to 2,700 by the year 2006, including up to 730 temporary residents for seasonal work," Mr House said.

"The current population of the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley is approximately 6,000."

The original Ord River Irrigation Scheme was for small family farms, but stage two aims at both intensive horticulture and broadacre operations. Crops envisaged include sugar cane, cotton and leucaena on broadacre farms, and a wide range of fruit and vegetables in the intense horticulture sections.

Mr House said the study had detailed two scenarios - the first involved three irrigation locations developed for broadacre sugar farming on the Weaber, Keep River and Knox Creek Plains. The second assumed the development of the same areas for broadacre rotation cotton farming, except for 2,250ha of sugar and 2,000ha of leucaena.

"The first scenario predicts 930 permanent jobs will be added to the workforce from the development of stage two and associated tourism development," Mr House said.

"In addition, there may be a temporary workforce peak of 550 between April and November for seasonal work. For the second scenario, the permanent workforce is predicted to be 730 and the temporary workforce 480 from September to November."

Included in the study was a review of the community needs for accommodation, urban land availability and social infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and shire facilities.

"This includes the need for up to 620 houses and units over the next 10 years," Mr Barnett said.

"Also, by 2006 there could be a need to double the available bays in caravan parks and single persons' accommodation requirements could reach 800 beds in the year 2000, reflecting high demand from the construction workforce.

"Depending on the timing of the development of stage two, the study also predicts that within five years a new pre-primary and primary school could be needed to cater for an estimated additional 390 junior school children.

"It is estimated that hospital facilities could also have to be expanded and other health facilities upgraded, including community health and infant health clinics."

The study is expected to provide a valuable guide to the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley in planning for the future development of its services, administration and community infrastructure. It will also assist planning in the Northern Territory, where half of the broadacre farm area is located.

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