In October 2022, the Southern Forests Irrigation Reference Group was appointed to provide advice on measures to deliver water security to the Warren-Donnelly horticulture industry.
In response to the group’s recommendations, the WA Government will co-fund projects that:
- Improve water security for horticulture businesses;
- Provide benefits to the broader Warren-Donnelly community; and
- Consider the water needs of the environment.
Southern Forests Infrastructure Support Scheme
The Southern Forest Infrastructure Support Scheme is a subset of the above that aims to support farmers in the Warren-Donnelly region to be better prepared to meet the prospect of reduced water availability due to the impacts of climate change. The scheme will be open to eligible landowners to construct suitable infrastructure on their property that will provide better water security and improve sustainability.
The Scheme is currently supporting 69 local horticulture businesses improve water security and climate resilience. The Manjimup-Pemberton growers will share in $4.28 million to upgrade a range of on-farm irrigation systems and devices that improve water use efficiency.
The funding will assist growers to co-invest in sprinklers, drippers, automation systems and software, as well as water management devices, such as probes and water meters, or measures to reduce evapotranspiration, like bird or crop netting.
The measures will support growers’ efforts to build stronger, more sustainable operations that can endure climate variability – supporting WA’s food security.
The Southern Forests is an important supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables, producing 67 per cent of the State’s avocados, kiwi fruit and processing potatoes, 61 per cent of WA apples and 35 per cent of seed potatoes.
For further information on the scheme, please contact sfiss@dpird.wa.gov.au