About the Perth Hills and Swan Valley
- The Whayduk Noongar people are the acknowledged traditional custodians of the Perth Hills and Swan Valley
- The Perth Hills and Swan Valley was one of Western Australia’s earliest food growing landscapes.
- Horticultural product, (annual and perennial plantings) is the most important agricultural industry with much exported and wholesale represents 11% of the state’s production and has an estimated value of $130 M GVAP.
- There are an estimated 377,259.00 people living in the Perth Hills and Swan Valley (Census).
- 163,457.29 Ha of the study area is predicted to have high to very high capability for horticulture.
- The area of suitable land is much greater than the estimated hectares that is currently under food growing land use.
- There are an estimated 1500 agricultural zoned and Agricultural zoned land covers 3360 HA and average property size ranging between 1.5 Ha and 235 Ha in size.
- There is an estimated 6300 rural lifestyle properties.
- 60% of the region is a protected reserves and representing 10% of the Northern Jarrah forests.
The competitive advantage
- Proximity to Perth and stable economy is attractive to private investors
- Within 20 kilometres there is a large workforce and a 2 million captive consumer market with increasing interest in food grown within 20 kilometres of their homes.
- Significant infrastructure and agricultural developments occurring in those local government areas closest to Perth.
- The Perth Hills and Swan Valley is also close to important Asian food and tourism markets.
- There is a high diversity of industries in the region with 200 and 250 different industries (Industry Diversification Index)
- The Perth Hills and Swan Valley offering a robust local environment that to fill a range of goods and services needed for food growing, value adding and agri-food tourism.
- The area is well serviced for freight routes
- Perth Hills and Swan Valley is the gateway to Regional Western Australia.
- The landscape has abundant agritourism, Food and Environmental Tourism as well as developing night sky tourism .
About the Perth Hills and Swan Valley project:
DPIRD’s Perth Hills and Swan Valley project will provide support to growers in the region to capitalise on their competitive advantage, overcome a range of production challenges – such as water and land availability, build climate and business resilience and grasp new opportunities for developing successful business ventures.
Services
- Share climate change adaptation measures
- Access business information and advice
- Facilitate Regional Brand Development
- Access to government assistance
- Industry and Regional Advocacy
- Stakeholder consultation
- Project development for Government Investment
- Regional Industry investment proposals
- Opportunity identification and development