CEO report UPFRONT

DUE to the recent departure of Manus Stockdale, the vegetablesWA (VWA) Committee of Management approached the PGA to provide management and executive services on an interim basis. The PGA has been happy to help while the Vegetable Growers Association (VGA) CoM carefully consider the future direction of vegetablesWA and who will be employed to deliver it.

It has been a busy and challenging time leading up to the end of the financial year. This is a hectic period as many projects need to meet milestones including the reporting that goes with it. I would like to thank the staff as they pulled together to meet reporting requirements and finalise a number of important projects.

The long-running Building Horticulture Business Capacity project has come to an end. Thank you to all the growers who participated and contributed to the success of this comprehensive project. Thanks also to our many partners. DPIRD, Hort Innovation, Planfarm, and Pome APC Committee. Also, the APC for their administrative role. A tool has been developed from this project for all members to use. This will be posted on our website shortly.

Water issues have been hitting the headlines recently. The Coca Cola (legal) water extraction story has shone a light once again on the complexity of this situation. You will see articles in this edition on Gnangara water use efficiency vouchers, and also water rights advocacy. VWA are now members of the WA Water Users Coalition and are working together to better represent grower interests. We are planning to hold a meeting for growers in the Gingin area later this month to discuss the recently released Gingin Groundwater and Surface Water Allocation Plan.

The National Water Plan is currently in the consultation stage. We have concerns about this plan as the previous National Water Initiative was very East Coast centric and reflected the issues of the Murray Darling rather than the Surface/Ground/Artesian mix that is more relevant here in the west. From a state point-of-view, Minister McGurk has assured me that the review of the water legislation has been shelved and is “not a policy position of this Government”. Whilst this is good news in the short term, it certainly will be back on the agenda after the next state election.

Speaking of elections, the Federal election could be called anytime now. We have great opportunities to present our policy requirements through our membership of AUSVEG and the National Horticulture Council. Issues such as labour, in particular visa issues, and water are at the forefront, along with cost of production and energy policy.

I would like to acknowledge the work of Manus over many years representing the interests of our members. During his time at VWA, there has been several changes in leadership, and he would always take on any responsibility required. Many thanks to Manus for his commitment to VWA, we wish him luck in his future endeavours.