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“Central to their emotive claims is the never-ending myth around continuing plans for large-scale water extraction from the Fitzroy River and its tributaries, including shelving the proposed surface water allocation limit 300 gigalitres a year under the McGowan Government’s Fitzroy water allocation plan” he said. “At a time when the unemployment rate in the Kimberley remains significantly higher than the rest of the State, especially among our Indigenous youth, denying this vital and valuable industry the opportunity to not only increase cattle production but expand into agricultural activities, by prohibiting sustainable access to water, will not only create a very bleak future for the Kimberley but for the rest of Western Australia as well,” Mr Seabrook said.

WA mining and cattle magnate Gina RInehart is diversifying her agriculture portfolio into grain and cotton production, starting with the purchase of a rumoured $28 million farm in Queensland. Hancock Agriculture chief executive John McKillop, who joined the group in November, said the business was diversifying its portfolio into cropping with secure water rights as well as higher rainfall, grazing and dryland farming. “As all things undertaken by the chairman, Mrs Rinehart, there is a strong commitment to improvements in the infrastructure and productivity of the assets,” Mr McKillop said.

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GINA Rinehart’s Hancock Agriculture has made what is believed to be its first foray into dedicated cropping country, with the purchase of Warra Warra on Queensland’s Western Downs. The purchase is understood to be a dedicated grain play, not necessarily integrated into the company’s cattle or lotfeeding interests. Industry sources have suggested a price of $27-$28 million.Hancock Agriculture said the rationale for the purchase was to diversify the company’s investment portfolio by securing high-quality farming land and water.

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A Hancock Agriculture spokesperson confirmed that Hancock Agriculture was delighted to have entered into the transactions with experienced Australian producers, stating “this is an excellent outcome which has ensured that the stations will continue to be operated under good, experienced stewardship by quality industry participants who share our dedication to Australian agriculture, and to our culture, that “happy healthy cattle are the best cattle”.

Elders said a commitment made at the time to modernise and improve the properties had been realised. “Significant investment was also made to improve the productivity and condition of the stations, including developing and expanding water infrastructure, which better positions the properties to operate during periods of low rainfall, improved employee safety and cattle handling equipment, shading across stock yards and water troughs, which improves animal welfare, and investing in widespread extensive digital UHF systems,” Elders said.

26 January 2023.