THE WA government has contributed $1.5 million in grants for the third round of the Gascoyne-Murchison Strategy.
The plan’s aim is to support new enterprise projects and new developments for the pastoral industry in the Gascoyne and Murchison regions.
Primary Industry Minister Monty House said the funding proposals submitted by landholders and business groups included efforts to boost productivity, protect fragile land by controlling grazing pressure and the development of new enterprises such as horticulture, new livestock breeds, tourism and aquaculture.
“This round continues to show that pastoralists are taking an innovative and commercial approach to broadening the economic base of their enterprises and the region as a whole,” Mr House said.
“In this round, the WA government’s $1.5 million contribution will create, when matched by the proponents, more than $3.5 million of investment in labour, materials and services that will benefit the region well into the future.”
The Gascoyne Murchison Strategy Group, chaired by Ian Laurance, assessed each proposal and allocated funds according to economic and environmental criteria.
Mr Laurance said that the response to the third round of funding had been excellent.
The Rangelands Product Forum held in Carnarvon last month focused on commercial alliances in the supply chain of rangeland products.
Other major projects currently underway include rehabilitation of the Carnarvon Artesian Basin, new technology for stock and water management, new products and markets for the pastoral industry and the establishment of a world-class conservation reserve system.
The next funding round closes on 30 September, with two more rounds following at six-monthly intervals.
