The State Government has advanced the development of a sustainable, profitable cotton industry in the East Kimberley, signing a lease to enable a local consortium to establish a cotton gin in Kununurra.
The lease with Kimberley Cotton Company (KCC) will see a high-tech cotton processing facility and associated storage infrastructure constructed on the 79.4 hectare site on Mulligans Lagoon Road.
Land tenure enables the KCC to progress local government planning approvals with the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, moving closer to an anticipated commencement of cotton processing in 2025.
The establishment of a cotton gin is central to the development of the northern cotton industry, providing confidence for growers to increase production to provide the scale and efficiencies for a viable industry.
The McGowan Government has been working alongside the KCC to realise the development, while providing $4 million to upgrade electricity, supply infrastructure and undertake necessary approvals.
The gin will be serviced by a 100 per cent renewable, reliable, efficient power supply, using hydroelectricity with low carbon emissions – creating an advantage for WA cotton in a global marketplace where customers increasingly demand sustainably produced fibre products.
The Kimberley Cotton Company is comprised of a consortium of local growers, investors and Traditional Owners, the Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“This lease agreement shows we are making progress towards a next generation cotton industry in Western Australia, which is founded on sustainability, efficiency and collaboration.
“Preliminary work has already begun to expand the cotton production area to supply the gin, with the upgrade of the M1 Channel to supply sufficient water for the Knox Development.
“This development will transform the agricultural landscape of the East Kimberley, driving a natural fibre industry that has a great decarbonisation role.”
