WA olive industry faces bright future

8/7/03
Premier Geoff Gallop today opened the State's largest commercial olive oil processing facility at Dandaragan Estate, in the Moore River region.
The $1.5million processing facility is capable of handling an estimated 10,000 tonnes of olive fruit a year.
Dr Gallop said the rapid development of the olive industry in Western Australia over the last five years had been nothing short of remarkable.
"There are now 1.2 million olive trees planted in WA - 80 per cent of them in the Moore River region," he said.
"When the State's olive groves are in full production, probably in six or seven years' time, they will be capable of producing 8,000 tonnes of olive oil a year.
"In revenue generating terms, this equates to about $40million a year."
The Premier said the olive industry had a bright future in WA and the State Government recognised the important contribution it could make to economic development in regional areas.
"The $40million that is estimated to have been invested in the Moore River olive industry, for example, has created 40 new jobs on the olive groves alone," he said.
"Then there are the new jobs that the olive industry can create by developing strategic alliances with associated industries, such as hospitality and tourism."
Dr Gallop said Dandaragan Estate, owned and operated by Olea Australis, was a fully integrated operation, employing world's best practices and the latest in technology.
The new oil processing facility would produce the highest quality olive oil, with high productivity levels and at low operational costs.
The Premier said the Government would continue to work closely with the olive industry to address challenges such as subsidised imported products, overcoming the fragmentation that existed in the industry, developing consistent supply and quality of products and creating recognisable brands.
Premier's office: 9222 9475