Member for the Agricultural Region Hon Martin Aldridge MLC has welcomed the news of increased local agribusiness development in the Northern Valleys
region which includes the Shires of Chittering, Gingin, Dandaragan and Moora. Hon Martin Aldridge MLC and Member for Moore Shane Love MLA took the opportunity to show newly elected Agricultural Region MP and Nationals Spokesperson on Agriculture Hon Colin de Grussa MLC some of the varied agribusiness in the region and to discuss opportunity for growth.
Mr Aldridge was pleased to be invited to tour some of the local agribusinesses and family operators in the region, including Ingham’s Chicken, Moora Citrus, The Loose Leaf Lettuce Company, Potato Growers Association of Western Australia (PGA WA), Gingin potato growers and the West Midlands Group based in Dandaragan. Following the recent news of chicken producer Ingham’s Chicken’s plans to relocate from its Sinagra site to Muchea over the next three years, Mr Aldridge, Mr de Grussa and Mr Love met with Ingham’s WA plant manager Daniel Fox in Muchea. Mr Aldridge welcomed the large scale development in Muchea. “While a preferred site is yet to be finalised, we met with Mr Fox at one of Ingham’s preferred locations for its new feed mill,” Mr Aldridge said. “We are looking forward to see this development progress with their WA expansion likely to come with 400 new jobs.”
A tour of Moora Citrus was conducted by Shane Kay and Sue Middleton who told The Nationals MP’s they were gearing up for international export. “The Dobra family from The Loose Leaf Lettuce Company in the Gingin region are continually expanding and improving their multi-million dollar packing facility, which will be a huge benefit to economic growth and employment in the region,” Mr de Grussa said. Mr de Grussa said, “This is another example of family faming businesses continually innovating to remain productive and meet the high expectations of consumers. “And it’s just one of the horticulture success stories of the agricultural region.”
Recent media reports outlining a disease outbreak is a real concern for local Gingin potato growers, as the bacteria, Dickeya dianthicola, has been found in commercial crops north of Perth. After meeting with the PGA WA and growers, Mr Love urged growers to report unusual plant symptoms to the Pest and Disease Information Service on 1800 084 881.
