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The Gulf region has substantial natural cropping land and water resources that can contribute to both improving farm enterprise profitability, diversity and resilience, as well as the economic diversification and sustainability of the region.
However, developing cropping land in the Gulf region of North-West Queensland is complicated, costly, and potentiallyfrustrating for landholders or business entities choosing to develop areas of land for cropping.
This guideline is a “How to Manual” for graziers, croppers and communities wanting to establish a cropping operationon new or existing land.
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Grow Your Vision
How to assess your site for Dryland Cropping
and Irrigation suitability in the Gulf
"The Gulf Savannah will soon be recognised nationally as a dynamic, new business and industry hub where people will work, invest, live and play".
The Honourable Cameron Dick
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
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Our Story
North-West Queensland combines a modern, well-developed economy, with primarily warm semi-arid and tropical savanna climates. It is relatively close to potential Asian markets and enjoys an excellent reputation as a safe and trusted supplier.
With plenty of arable land for considerably lower cost than other regions of Australia, world-leading expertise in tropical and dry tropical production systems, favourable biosecurity status, water available for irrigation, and high sunshine hours with mild winter temperatures, North-West Queensland has the capacity to compete favourably on the world market with production of many dry climate products.
North-West Queensland’s population has been declining for several decades. This has had flow-on effects for the region’s industries, businesses and communities. There has been considerable government attention given to the issue, most recently in “The Strategic Blueprint for Queensland’s North-West Minerals Province.” The Blueprint identified agriculture as a sector with real potential to grow and diversify the regional economy.
Our Purpose
The purpose of this Gulf Cropping Development “How to Manual” is to:
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Provide options and directions for grazers, croppers, and communities on how to develop cropping land in terms of identifying potential issues and opportunities and navigating development approvals;
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Design a business model to take a complicated process and turn it into a practical cropping procedure and opportunity;
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Simplify a complex process and produce practical information and processes for producers to apply.
Gulf Savannah Development
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Gulf Savannah Development (GSD) is the facilitating organisation for the Gulf Savannah Region that drives economic development projects and initiatives for the benefit of its stakeholders. It is also the central representative body that actively advocates for the people, businesses and organisations in the area. GSD’s primary goal is to bring together people, ideas and resources to deliver impactful projects that ensure the future sustainability of the Gulf Region.
Gulf Savannah Cropping Development area
North-West Qld Economic Diversification Strategy
In 2019, the Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation (DSDTI) released the North-West Queensland Economic Diversification Strategy (NWQEDS). The NWQEDS aligns with the State Government’s strategic plan toleverage the North-West’s competitive advantages and identified a range of opportunities across the resources,agriculture, tourism, business and industry sectors that have the potential to support long-term sustainable growth inNorth-West Queensland.
Within the NWQEDS is a suite of initiatives and actions. These are structured around three key themes: • Enhanced investment environment; • Strong supply chains; and • Sustainable communities. North-West Queensland’s competitive advantages lie in its proximity to growing populations in Asia and the Indo-Pacific, established infrastructure/supply chains, arable land, expertise in tropical and dry tropical production systems and favourable biosecurity status. Opportunities to capitalise on these strengths to increase productivity and maximise regional economic benefits will include: • Suitable dryland cropping options; • Realisation of opportunities for irrigated agriculture; • Specialising in arid agriculture; and • Growing fodder as a supplement feed during periods of low pasture quality which could increase productivity and reduce the need to transport cattle to finishing facilities. Initial work to support realisation of new agricultural opportunities has been carried out through supporting work to the NWQEDS under Theme 1 (Enhanced Investment Environment) including: • Action 1.2 – Strengthen economic development across the province: This project creates, supports, and assist facilitate cropping opportunities in the region by rolling out an Economic Development Toolkit to support, identify, develop, and implement the economic strategy. • Action 1.5 – Increase agricultural production. High-value agriculture (irrigated anddry-land) is recognised as a key diversification opportunity in North-West QLD. DAF engaged agricultural research and supply chain specialists, Coriolis Australia, to develop a long-term strategy and implementation plan for enhanced agricultural production and employment, focused on expansion, diversification and intensification opportunities in North-West Queensland.
Key reports developed under this action include:
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The North-West Agricultural Strategy and Implementation Plan. ( 3.9 MB). This plan focuses on opportunities to enhance agricultural production and employment in North-West Queensland. The plan is supported by documents developed in close consultation with key regional stakeholders, industry and supply chain partners.
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How Do We Increase Ag Production in the NWMP to Create Significant New Employment? ( 3.2 MB).
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Twenty Opportunities, Identifying Diversification Opportunities in North-West Queensland ( 3.2 MB).
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Mungbean, the $70M Diversification Opportunity in North-West Queensland ( 2.7 MB).
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Shea, the $40M Diversification Opportunity in North-West Queensland ( 5.9 MB).
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Sesame, the $250M Diversification Opportunity in North-West Queensland ( 5.7 MB).
This Manual extends the work undertaken through NWQEDS by providing tools to realise the market opportunities identified and support cropping land development.
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Community Engagement and Activation
Gulf Savannah Development will launch a marketing campaign to introduce this Manual and host a regional tour of workshop events in mid-2023, designed to guide participants through a clear process of practical steps to achieve an approved Cropping Development Project outcome.
Landholders will be invited to bring their own projects to work through.
To register your interest in attending a regional workshop, please submit your contact details here.