Food Hubs and Aquaculture
Aquaculture The Pilbara’s extensive and relatively population-free coastline and inland areas make it ideal for aquaculture with numerous sites potentially suited for land and marine based developments. Onshore marine aquaculture has significant potential, with numerous coastal areas suitable for pond aquaculture of crustaceans and finfish. In addition, the vast quantities of fresh water associated with mining activities from dewatering and mine pit lakes, as well as artesian sources, also presents future opportunities for inland aquaculture. The Pilbara’s abundant sunlight and coastal land make it an ideal location for algae and seaweed culture. While there is the potential for biodiesel production, there is growing recognition of the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties of algae and seaweeds for use in human and animal medicines and foods. 72 Rock oysters already grow naturally in abundance on the Pilbara coast, and studies have shown the Pilbara’s environmental conditions, freight networks and extensive coastline make it well-suited to rock oyster farming. This research will fill the knowledge gap to assist in attracting prospective aquaculture developers to the Pilbara. Food Hubs Karratha and Newman have been identified as prospective locations for Food Hubs with the potential to assist artisan food and beverage producers. The artisan food and beverage segment rely on achieving economies of scale and shared direct marketing strategies and resources to compete with larger producers. This enables a greater diversity of quality, value-added products to be competitively developed, distributed and produced. Common user food production facilities achieve this outcome through reducing the cost per producer for expensive equipment such as kitchens, drying facilities, bottling, packaging, storage and distribution. These facilities can be privately, cooperatively, or publicly funded or a combination of public seed funding and other matching investments. The business model is focussed on developing the right mix of infrastructure for regional food producers and leasing it on a user pays basis. They are typically established by producers that come together to develop a cooperative model of sharing or purchasing costs and equipment, offering a ready vehicle for government to support by providing funding and policy support where the investment market is not already responding. Current projects include: • The Sahara Forest project to establish food growing, energy generation and water desalination district outside of Karratha.
i
Resources Department of Primary industry and Regional Development – Business Development Manager www.waopenforbusiness.wa.gov.au Department of Primary Industries – Food Industry Innovation +61 (0)8 9881 0221
foodindustryinnovation@agric.wa.gov.au City of Karratha – karratha.wa.gov.au
72
www.pdc.wa.gov.au/our-focus/strategicinitiatives/aquaculture
84 | WA Investment Prospectus
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator