No end in sight for Ord delay

The Barnett Government’s $220 million expansion of the Ord River farming project will take almost twice as long to complete than originally planned due to ongoing delays gaining Commonwealth environmental approval.

The project to increase the size of the Ord irrigation scheme from 14,000ha to 22,000ha was originally due to be completed this year; however, the Government last year extended that to December 2012.

But the flagship Royalties for Regions project is yet to get the nod from Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke, despite work beginning last May.

Project director Peter Stubbs said he was confident full Federal approval would be signed off later this month, but delays in gaining that approval meant work could continue well into 2013.

Mr Stubbs said the Commonwealth had indicated it would make a final decision on the project by August 20; however, approval for some preliminary works was granted this week.

“We don’t have any concerns there will be any deal breakers at this stage,” Mr Stubbs said. Kununurra-based Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation chairman Teddy Carlton said traditional owners were worried delays would postpone benefits flowing to local Aboriginals.

Under the 2005 Ord Final Agreement, traditional owners are entitled to 5 per cent of any new Ord land developed and have the option to purchase another 7.5 per cent.

The Commonwealth is concerned about the project’s effect on threatened species, including the rare northern quoll and endangered Gouldian finch.

Stage one works building roads and extending irrigation channels, due to be completed last December, are now expected to be finished in October.

A contract for stage two of the project, to ready new land for sale, remains to be signed.

However, Mr Stubbs said that could happen relatively quickly once environmental approval was obtained, meaning 8000ha of new Ord land could go on sale in September. He said negotiations with contractor Moonamang – a joint venture between Leighton Contractors and Indigenous Business Australia – over cost blowouts in phase one of the project had been resolved. The outcome of those negotiations was confidential.