Ord Irrigation Project, Kununurra

CLIENT BRIEF:

The delivery of all necessary planning and environmental approvals and the provision of all required infrastructure including off-farm water supply, drainage, flood protection and roads for a $500 million plus project as part of a significant land release in one of Northern Australia’s leading agricultural regions.

BENCHMARK’S ACHIEVEMENTS:

• A number of business cases and feasibility studies were delivered throughout different stages of the project.
• Working in partnership with the MG Corporation to provide a framework in which the local indigenous people can benefit from the future development of the Ord Irrigation Area.
• The development of the indigenous engagement strategy and liaising with the Traditional Owners to deliver the required outcomes from the Ord Final Agreement and Aboriginal Development Package.
• Preparation of risk management reporting used in the identification and analysis of risk and the selection of risk treatment management strategies.
• Management of design and construction of irrigation channels, weirs and roads and administration of large scale large value contracts

BACKGROUND:

The project includes the release of around 7,400 hectares of agricultural land in the Goomig Farm Area and land with longer term development potential in the Knox Plain and Ord West Bank areas, in conjunction with the improvement of social, community and common-use infrastructure and delivery of meaningful, sustainable Indigenous employment opportunities

The Ord Irrigation Expansion Project is not simply about delivering an increase in economic activity in the region.  It is also about providing opportunities for the most severely disadvantaged in the East Kimberley Region.

The Western Australian Government has partnered with the Miriuwung and Gajerrong (MG) people, who are the traditional owners and custodians of the land upon which agricultural lots will be released as part of the project.