The Western Australian government has welcomed the Kimberley Cotton Company’s plans to construct the state’s first cotton processing plant.
KCC recently signed a contract to build the $60 million cotton gin facility, which will support Australia’s growing cotton industry and create more local jobs in WA.
The McGowan Government congratulated KCC during Regional Development Minister Don Punch’s visit to farmers in Kununurra to discuss the Ord River Irrigation Area project, the establishment of the cotton industry, and opportunities the new facility presents for agricultural support businesses.
“I am delighted to see the Kimberley Cotton Company passing a significant milestone this week, ordering WA’s first cotton gin and moving closer to realising this transformational project for the region, local growers, Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation and the pastoral industry in the East Kimberley,” Minister Punch said.
The WA government has collaborated with local growers and the KCC over the past six years to back in the development, providing land and funding support.
The state government previously announced $3.6 million for Horizon Power infrastructure that will supply renewable power from Lake Argyle to the Cotton Gin. In September 2022, the state awarded a lease for approximately 60 hectares of land to the Kimberley Cotton Company.
“The McGowan Government has worked hard to get the project this far and it will need continued effort from all involved to ensure the development remains sustainable and meets its environmental obligations,” he added.
Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said the KCC cotton gin facility will be the largest agricultural project in WA’s north and is central to the development of a sustainable cotton industry.
“I congratulate the Kimberley Cotton Company for this milestone and wish them every success towards starting up in 2025,” Jarvis added.
