AQUACULTURE is not a term commonly used in conjunction with the Wheatbelt.
But within the next few weeks, development could start on a new saline aquaculture project in Wagin.
The Shire of Wagin is currently applying for a $4 million grant through the Federal GOvernment's Regional Development Assistance Program and if succesful. funding will go towards the Wagin Integrated Food and Fibre Processing Hub (WIFFPH), to be installed in the region.
This hub will integrate green infrastructure for power generation, a desalinisation unit to supply fresh water to the community and use up saline water, as well as a saline fish farm, capable of producing 125 tonnes of barramundi in its first year.
While the Shire was unsuccessful in round one of funding application, round two could be decided by the end of this month.
Project co-ordinator and managing director of Regenerate Industries, Karne de Boer, said if the application for funding was successful the project would hopefully be completed by January 2014.
Speaking in support of the project in the Senate last week, Senator Chris Back outlined the project and the affects it would have on the region.
"The project will remove the saline water table beneath the town," he said.
"It will also provide a new source of fresh water for an area of the State which is in need of a reliable fresh water supply.
"It will retain business in the town and the district, create new employment opportunities and of course, create an opportunity for other councils in the future."
One of the components of the project would be the use of oat husks in the co-generation of electricity from a bio energy source.
"The power generated from the powerhouse will go back into the food processing operation and will provide energy for the reverse osmosis plant and heat for the saline aquaculture project," Senator Back said. "This will produce barramundi for tables in restaurants throughout the State.
"The reverse osmosis plant will provide 300,000 kilolitres a day of fresh water back into the community as well as 145,000kl a day into the aquaculture project."
According to Senator Back the project has been predicted to cost $8 million, of which $4m will be put up buy the proponents, with the remainder sought from the Commonwealth.
Mr de Boer said the support from the community for the project had been overwhelming.
"The locals have been very supportive," he said.
"Our natural resource manager Danielle Perrie, has been keeping everyone well informed through community information days where we answer any questions the locals have.
"Everyone in the region seems to support it and we are extremely hopeful we will be successful in our round two application for funding.
"But we do have a plan B if we miss out."
Ms Pierre said the project had regional, State and national significant for the environment.
"It addresses the extremely urgent issues currently affecting our region, including water and food security, agricultural sustainability and the impacts of salinity," she said.
"It is imperative this proposal and industry is supported to make large scale changes to the way food and fibre is produced."