A Merredin Shire-led group is developing an agricultural industry prospectus to woo investors to the town for horticultural and high-value crop projects.
The community reference group includes Merredin councillors John Flockart and Matt Crisafio, chief executive officer Greg Powell and representatives from the Department of Water (Water for Food), Department of Agriculture and Food, Water Corporation and the Wheatbelt Development Commission.
Reference group chairman and Agricultural Region MP Martin Aldridge said the document would highlight to potential agrifood proponents the opportunities that Merredin offered.
"From knowing all that information what we are trying to do is bring together all of the relevant parties and industry players who have the best market intelligence in terms of demand for product," Mr Aldridge said.
He said there was significant interest from investors looking at WA agricultural projects, with availability of water playing a significant role in a project's viability.
"There wouldn't be a week that goes by when the Department of Water isn't getting approached by domestic and international investors looking for opportunities in agriculture," Mr Aldridge said.
"We have seen the horticulture expansion out of Perth and even Gingin is constrained so those growers are looking at other areas of the State, particularly around Moora and Dandaragan, to expand their businesses because of the constraints that are on the underground water supplies around Gingin."
Merredin Shire chief executive officer Greg Powell said with its experience in water harvesting and its proximity to Perth and eastern States' transport links, the town was ripe for agri-food investments.
Last year the group led a feasibility study into the production of spirulina, a blue green algae grown in freshwater with significant health benefits.
While the study showed the spirulina investment to be "marginal", Mr Powell said the group decided to broaden its focus and instead look at developing a prospectus highlighting the town's advantages including location, services and off-scheme water sources for future agrifood developers.
"Historically Merredin has harvested a lot of water because of where it sits in a valley and the town is entirely off the pipeline where its green areas are concerned," he said
"There is also a supply of saline groundwater that can be treated which we can add to our mix and that would give us an added quantity for whatever purpose.
"We've got other infrastructure such as schools and hospitals so we can accommodate an increased workforce.
"We are sitting there waiting for the opportunity."
Mr Powell said the shire was well placed for horticultural investments similar to the newly established Wide Open Agriculture's shadehouse at Arthur River.
As reported this week in Farm Weekly, Wide Open Agriculture has established a 0.5 hectare shadehouse to grow a mix of vegetables for customers in southern WA.
"Firstly, we have the water available, secondly we have the transport links and thirdly we are in reasonable proximity to the Perth market and the supply chains such as road or rail to the east coast," Mr Powell said.
"In broad terms we need to consider diversification from the grain monoculture as we are seeing larger scale grain growing is impacting on population levels which then impacts on town viability.
"If we can move into something that maintains populations or in fact increases them, it adds to the viability of government, private and commercial infrastructure and provides other opportunities for the town."
