Crook calls on Federal support for Wagin Food/Fibre Hub
Posted on Thursday, 16 February 2012
NATIONALS WA Federal Member for O’Connor, Tony Crook MP, has called on the Federal Government to provide funding to the Wagin Food/Fibre Processing Hub in the next round of Regional Development Australia (RDA) grants.
The Shire of Wagin has applied for $4 million through the RDA fund to put towards the total cost of the project.
In Parliament this week, Mr Crook said the Wagin Food/Fibre Processing Hub is an important and innovative local project with regional significance.
“The project will include the construction of a desalination plant, a cogeneration power supply, capable of producing green energy from oat husks, straw, mallee, and green waste; and an inland aquaculture system,” Mr Crook said.
“Working with Murdoch University, the Shire of Wagin hopes to use new technology to grow barramundi in saline ground water.”
Mr Crook said the aquaculture system could grow up to 125 tonnes of barramundi in its first year of operation.
“This project will be a major economic driver for the region; creating jobs and attracting new industry to the region.
“By diversifying the regional economy, the Wagin Food/Fibre Processing Hub will help to create more sustainable and resilient regional communities.”
Mr Crook travelled through the electorate in January, where he met with representatives from the Shire of Wagin to learn more about the project.
Shire of Wagin CEO Len Calneggia welcomed Mr Crook’s support for the project.
“The Shire Council is very excited about the prospects this project will have in tackling salinity in the region; establishing a drought proof industry in aquaculture; and generating affordable and reliable power,” Mr Calneggia said.
The Food/Fibre Processing Hub will be located near Morton’s Seed and Grain Merchants close to the Wagin town site.
The Shire of Wagin plans to source additional funding for the project through Royalties for Regions and private investment.