KPMG has been awarded a tender by the Northern Territory Government to undertake a detailed business case assessment for an Agribusiness Precinct at Lambells Lagoon.
Minister for Northern Australia and Trade, Nicole Manison says the precinct will drive growth in the agribusiness sector by providing pristine land for private agricultural development and employment opportunities for Territorians, with a particular focus on employment for Aboriginal Territorians.
“Expanding the Northern Territory’s agriculture sector is critical to driving growth in the regions, expanding employment opportunities and boosting our economy,” said Ms Manison.
“The Lambells Lagoon Agribusiness Precinct development will capitalise on high quality horticultural land which until now has been constrained by its access to water.
“This is an important step to ensure we develop sustainable solutions for our agricultural and horticultural industries, whilst also securing the Territory’s water supply long into the future. “
The precinct is a central component of the Territory Government’s largest water infrastructure development in history, the Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage project (AROWS).
AROWS will be a key enabler for industrial and agricultural growth by acting as a direct long-term water supply for the precinct.
“The Agriculture sector is an extremely important contributor to the Territory’s growing economy, so it is vital that we continue to support agricultural diversification and development opportunities,” said Minister for Agribusiness and Fisheries, Paul Kirby.
“The land identified for this agribusiness precinct is suitable for high-value horticulture and agriculture, however production is constrained by a lack of available groundwater.
“Water supplied from the AROWS project has the potential to enable 2,000 hectares of land to be developed for agricultural and horticultural purposes and also support existing properties that are constrained by the availability of groundwater.”
The land identified for the Agribusiness Precinct is suitable for high-value horticulture and agriculture, however production is constrained by a lack of available groundwater.
Water supplied from the AROWS project has the potential to service 2,000 hectares of identified land, paving the way for an agricultural precinct development.
It is expected the proposed Agribusiness Precinct will also support surrounding agricultural and horticultural properties that are constrained by the lack of available groundwater.
“NT Farmers has for a long time backed precincts as the way to go for farming in the Northern Territory,” said NT Farmers President, Simon Smith.
“Precincts offer economies of scale, minimise environmental impacts and offer great opportunities for long term investment in high value horticulture in the Territory.
“I congratulate the Northern Territory Government for this initiative and we look forward to working closely with KPMG to assess the viability of the Lambells Lagoon Horticultural Precinct.”
The final agribusiness precinct detailed business case is expected to be completed by early 2024, and will inform the next steps for the project.
