Grylls calls for ideas for pastoral land

The state government is calling on farmers to identify new business ventures that would unlock opportunities for economic development and diversification on pastoral lands.

Lands Minister Brendon Grylls today invited expressions of interest from pastoral land lessees to identify new business ventures that can be undertaken on existing pastoral leases or as new land tenure types.

He said a number of pastoral lessees had made use of the supplementary enterprise permits available under the Land Administration Act 1997, but the permits did not allow for large stand-alone projects.

"We are looking to explore the possibilities and opportunities for economic development and diversification on pastoral lands throughout the State," Mr Grylls said.

A recent review report on the Economic and Ecological Sustainability of Pastoralism in the Southern Rangelands of Western Australia included two key recommendations, equally applicable to the Northern Rangelands:

- Recommendation Two - facilitate opportunities for innovation and diversification within rangelands through improved legislation and administration
- Recommendation Five - encourage and support opportunities for industry and market development.

In particular the State Government was seeking advice on:

- business ventures pastoral lessees would be interested in pursuing, either in addition to or in place of livestock grazing enterprises
- any conditions under which they would undertake such ventures
- whether pastoral lessees have current capacity to invest in or can attract finance to develop such a business venture in full
- for what minimum percentage of the project government financial grant assistance would be sought if it were available
- in what time frame pastoral lessees would seek to undertake such new business ventures.

More information can be obtained by contacting the Department of Regional Development and Lands. The deadline for the submission of EOIs is February 26.