The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments have officially opened the Kimberley Cotton Gin in Kununurra, which is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs over the next decade in a new billion-dollar industry for the State's north.
The Western Australian Government has worked closely with local stakeholders for more than a decade to establish a sustainable and profitable cotton industry, with the new Kimberley Cotton Gin set to drive economic growth and employment opportunities in the region.
The $60 million high-tech processing facility is owned by Kimberley Cotton Company, a consortium of local growers including the Ord River District Co-operative, Traditional Owners Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation, Kimberley Agricultural Investment, Prime Grain Pty Ltd and Namoi Cotton Limited.
The Kimberley Cotton Gin has commenced operation, with an initial processing capacity of about 100,000 bales per year.
The Cook Government has invested $9 million to enable the project, including $5 million through the WA Investment Attraction Fund and $4 million to provide land and a renewable power supply for the high-tech processing facility.
The project has also been supported by a $34 million loan through the Commonwealth Government's Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.
The 79.4-hectare gin site is serviced by a 100 per cent renewable power supply using low emission hydroelectricity, which is set to satisfy global market demand for low emissions cotton fibre.
The WA Government funded the high-voltage supply line and upgraded the network to deliver clean power from the Pac Hydro's Lake Argyle generation system.
In 2024, the WA Government unlocked 5,500 hectares at Knox Plain via a development lease to the Kimberley Agricultural Investment, which together with partners Keep Farming and other growers, will build cotton supply and scale to support the gin.
This agricultural expansion is underpinned by a $77 million State Government investment, through the Water Corporation, to upgrade the main water supply channel to supply water from Lake Argyle to the Knox development.
The State Government-backed WA Agricultural Research Collaboration will be driving research to explore the use of cotton and other irrigated crop by-products as livestock feed to add further value to the Kimberley economy.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"My government is focused on diversifying Western Australia's economy with this milestone marking the launch of an exciting new industry for our State's north.
"The opening of the Kimberley Cotton Gin is a significant achievement that follows years of collaboration between industry, Traditional Owners, the local community and government.
"This is a new era for sustainable cotton production in WA, set to inject millions of dollars into our State's economy over the coming years and generate quality jobs for the people of the Kimberley region."
Comments attributed to Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King:
"This state-of-the-art facility represents far more than just infrastructure - it's the foundation of an entirely new industry for the Kimberley region.
"The Kimberley Cotton Gin Project has the potential to transform the cotton industry across the Kimberley and into nearby parts of the Northern Territory by ensuring locally grown cotton can be processed and prepared directly for the market."
Comments attributed to Regional Development and Kimberley Minister Stephen Dawson:
"I look forward to seeing how this visionary project will help generate jobs, growth and flow-on benefits in the Kimberley for generations to come.
"I am proud of the support the Cook Government has provided to the Kimberley Cotton Gin initiative over many years and our efforts to expand and diversify agriculture in WA's north."
Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"The development of a sustainable cotton industry for Western Australia is helping to future-proof this important region and its communities.
"I congratulate the Kimberley Cotton Company and wish them well with the continued growth and development of the Ord River cotton industry."
Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"Today marks a significant achievement for a project that will leave a lasting legacy in the Kimberley region.
"The project is a testament to our government's commitment to developments in the region and the dedication of local growers and industry to building a sustainable, diversified future in the East Kimberley."
