The Nationals WA in Government will deliver $6 million to secure land and develop a business plan for the South West Agribusiness Precinct, located in the Shire of Capel. The transformational project which will create thousands of jobs, attract major investment, and secure the future of WA’s food production.
Candidate for Collie-Preston, Cam Parsons, announced the election commitment in Boyanup today, and said the precinct would establish the South West as a powerhouse for agriculture, food production, and logistics, while delivering a modern, purpose-built home for the Boyanup Saleyards.
“This precinct will be a game-changer for the South West’s agricultural sector,” Mr Parsons said.
“It will provide world-class facilities for beef and sheep processing, dairy production, value-added food processing, logistics, cold storage, and agricultural research, delivering massive benefits to farmers, producers, and the entire supply chain.
“This $6 million commitment from Royalties for Regions will allow for the purchase of the site and to start the next stages, including the development of a comprehensive business plan to ensure this precinct meets the needs of local producers and maximises supply chain efficiency,” Mr Parsons said.
The project will also provide a long-overdue new home for the Boyanup Saleyards, which have operated since the 1950s in an outdated and unsuitable location.
“The Boyanup Saleyards are falling apart and sit just metres from people’s homes in the town centre,” Mr Parsons said.
“This new precinct will give our livestock producers certainty, while also attracting major agribusiness investment and driving innovation in the sector.”
A feasibility study conducted by the Shire of Capel found that once fully developed, the South West Agribusiness Precinct could create up to 1,500 direct new jobs, more than 4,000 indirect jobs, and deliver over $1 billion to WA’s economy each year.
The Shire has already identified a 500-hectare site for the precinct, with its location connecting agricultural producers to key transport infrastructure, including Bunbury Port, Busselton Airport, and Perth via the Bunbury Outer Ring Road.
Nationals WA Leader Shane Love said the precinct was a nation-leading initiative that aligned with the Party’s vision for strong, thriving regional communities.
“This project is exactly what The Nationals WA stand for – backing regional communities, supporting farmers, and driving real economic growth,” Mr Love said.
“The South West Agribusiness Precinct will be one of the most important agribusiness hubs in Australia, delivering world-class processing, logistics, and research facilities, while keeping WA’s farmers at the forefront of the industry.”
