South West Region News
Perth Royal Show Coming Soon!
The Perth Royal Show is a great celebration of our primary industries, showcasing the diversity, sophistication and sustainability of modern agriculture. It connects the city to the country, and I’m excited to announce the McGowan Government will be subsidising tickets again, as part of a $2 million funding package to maximise access to the Show for all Western Australians.
This year, we have put a special focus on biosecurity, given the highlighted risk with Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease. We are helping the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia to promote that message and to take special care with sanitation mats and hand sanitiser stations at the entrance to livestock displays, visitor restrictions around livestock displays, and cautionary signage. There will be animal health staff on hand to raise visitors' awareness about FMD and help them comply with biosecurity requirements.
Each Show ticket will contain biosecurity information, while educational material will also be visible around the showgrounds so exhibitors, staff and show-goers understand the impact a potential livestock disease would have on our State's valuable agricultural industries.
The Perth Royal Show runs from 24 September until 1 October 2022. For more information, visit www.perthroyalshow.com.au.
Regional Event Funding Applications Open
- Applications are open for 2023-24 Regional Events Scheme
- Total funding of up to $1.1 million is available for smaller and developing regional events across WA
- Includes $250,000 for events supported through the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme
Regional event holders are encouraged to apply for funding available through the 2023-24 Regional Events Scheme, which is now open.
Event holders can apply for funding between $5,000 and $40,000 for events to be held between 1 July, 2023 and 30 June, 2024.
The annual funding round supports smaller and developing events in regional Western Australia, with a total pool of up to $1.1 million of funding available.
The funding includes $250,000 for the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme (RAES) - an increase of $100,000 on the previous funding round - to support events that showcase and celebrate Aboriginal activities and experiences through the leadership and participation of Aboriginal people.
Applications close at 5pm, Tuesday 18 October, 2022. For more information or to apply, visit http://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/res.
Farming Systems Project
I’m pleased to announce that the State Government and Grains Research and Development Corporation are working together on a new $20.4 million WA Farming Systems project to optimise the potential of Western Australia’s grains industry.
This collaborative project will assist WA grain growers to confidently adopt new ways of farming in response to changing climate and market forces so they can optimise production, profitability and sustainability.
Learning hubs will be established in the Merredin, Geraldton and the Lakes districts, reflecting different soil types and production environments to ground truth a range of farming systems and learnings.
This new project is another demonstration of the McGowan Government’s commitment to the State’s agricultural sector, together with the recent launch of the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration to drive research so WA’s primary industries remain internationally competitive.
National Approach to Boosting Biosecurity
- National Biosecurity Strategy is driving collaboration on biosecurity
- McGowan Government welcomes collaborative approach to managing emerging animal and plant disease threats
The release of the National Biosecurity Strategy, which aims to build a stronger, more connected approach to national biosecurity, is welcomed.
The strategy was developed in consultation with all States and Territories, and overseen by the National Biosecurity Committee.
It builds on existing strategies and plans, and the work already being done across Australia by government, industry and the community on exotic and established pests, weeds and diseases, including zoonotic diseases.
The strategy will help to support Western Australia's strong biosecurity system, which is critical to growing the State's economy and regions by protecting WA's $11 billion agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries industries, and natural resources.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development led the Western Australian input into the development of the strategy which focuses on six priority areas - understanding everyone's role in biosecurity, strengthening partnerships and networks, building workforce capability and capacity to respond, a co-ordinated approach to preparedness and response, future investment in biosecurity priorities, and creating a science-based system to support research and decision making.
The next steps will include development of a national implementation plan to identify initial actions and guide future planning. This will also inform and assist WA in its own planning and biosecurity strategies.
Hon. Alannah MacTiernan | Member for the South West Region