Midlands water for food community reference group workshop facilitation

Specifications

• Client: Department of Water Western Australia
• Scope:

  The Department of Water Western Australia is undertaking the Water for Food initiative; a four-year $40 Million Royalties for Regions funded State Government program to boost regional communities in WA through development and diversification of the agriculture and food sectors. As part of this program, the Midlands groundwater and land assessment project aims to identify either one or more (2000 to 3000 ha) precincts suitable for intensive irrigated horticulture within a broad 500,000 ha envelope north of the Gingin irrigation district.

  Verterra undertook scoping and planning, design and facilitation of a Community Reference Group Workshop to identify decision criteria to be considered when selecting areas for further groundwater investigation to support expansion of irrigated agriculture.Attendees comprised key representatives from across the range of stakeholder groups from both directed and open invitation. The workshop was attended by over 70 people across the following stakeholder groups:
  • Commercial;
  • Community;
  • Fruit and Vegetable growers;
  • Livestock;
  • State and Metro Government;
  • Local-Regional; and
  • Mining.

• Challenge:

  The Western Australia Department of Water were looking to identify key criteria for to inform selection of areas for groundwater investigation to support expansion of irrigated agriculture.

• Solution:

  During the workshop: participants viewed presentations around 4 themes: groundwater for irrigation; soil landforms; planning and infrastructure; and potential markets and investment; were also introduced to 12 prospective areas recommended by HydroConcept; and then asked to develop and rank criteria for each theme. Each participant received a participant report provided by Verterra.

• Benefit to Client:

  The workshop achieved a high level of understanding of the Project, with strong participation, cooperation and engagement by participants.

• Market Sector: Government
• Capabilities:
  • Groundwater and salinity management
  • General land, water and vegetation technical services
  • Soil Science
• Location: Western Australia
• Year: 2015