The visit was organised by local Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton and the opportunity was used to showcase the innovative work of our local agricultural industries.

The Minister met with GVIA executive officer, Zara Lowien and Stahmann Farms manager David Reibel, to see first-hand the upgrades to the farms irrigation system and discuss future opportunities for expansion of the industry.

“Permanent horticulture like pecans, oranges and olives are well suited to the soils and climate within our region, we are only limited by the availability of reliable water supply from high security or groundwater entitlements.

“Advances in irrigation efficiencies like converting flood irrigation to drip systems over the past-decade, have allowed permanent plantings to expand and we’ve seen tree numbers increase for both pecans and oranges as a result.

“The flow-on benefits locally have already been noted, with increased demand for more regular labour as well as new skills to adapt to the challenges of horticulture,” she said.

Mrs Lowien stressed the importance of reliable water allowing opportunities for growth in the region.

“Our message to the minister was around the benefits and long-term value that improved water reliability and increased permanent agriculture could have for a regional community like Moree that is agriculturally dominated and hence, directly impacted by seasonal conditions and water reforms like the Basin Plan.

“We asked for leadership on the current water issues before the parliament, to secure proposed changes like the Northern Review Amendments, which would see a 70,000 megalitre reduction in water recovered for the environment across the Northern valleys, as well as investment in complementary measures,” she said.

“The Northern Review amendments provide an opportunity for governments to recognise the impact of past policies and rebuild confidence in regional communities

“We can’t afford to waste that opportunity,” she said.