IRRIGATION industry leaders are say the announcement of 30 new jobs in Griffith will cement the region's position as a hub for agriculture.
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Murrumbidgee Irrigation chief executive officer Brett Jones said the announcement by Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud of up to 30 new jobs for Griffith through the decentralisation of the MDBA is a further demonstration of the value of investment in regional communities.
Mr Jones, said the announcement confirms Griffith as Australia’s “irrigation central.”
“It is true that Griffith and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area is a fantastic example of what a region can do when it has access to productive water, with our producers and industry working together to adapt to the changing nature of water use,” Mr Jones said.
“Our irrigation community does so much for Australia’s export opportunities and our domestic supply - whatever they need, from almonds, rice and cotton through to citrus, grapes and vegetables - we grow it here in and around Griffith.”
Mr Jones pointed out that investment in communities yields results.
“We have seen this first hand over the last six years through the $360M of infrastructure investment in our region,” he said.
“The PIIOP funded projects have been extremely successful. The combination of our system works with on farm changes has enabled even greater innovation and improvement.
“Our farmers were looking for the next step and this investment has given them the opportunity to take this step by producing more food and fibre out of the water available.”
Following the announcement Minister Littleproud joined MDBA chief executive officer Philip Glyde on a tour of MI operations to see how this investment has already resulted in real water savings and efficiency gains to MI’s operations.
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