Investment Opportunities

The Kimberley region is over 400,000 square kilometres in size and features abundant resources and natural attractions. An increasingly diverse regional economy offers investment opportunities in many industries including resources, construction, tourism, retail, agriculture, and rangelands. There are also challenges to the growth of the Kimberley including housing, health and well-being and education and training. RDA Kimberley can facilitate meetings and appointments around investment projects for potential investors, or those looking for investment contributions from the private sector.

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Resources

The resource sector in the Kimberley has a long and diverse history, commencing with the discovery of gold near Halls Creek in 1885. Construction of an iron ore mine on Cockatoo Island began in 1944, with the first shipments made in 1951. In the 1980s, diamonds and zinc/lead deposits were discovered and mines commissioned at Argyle (diamonds) and Cadjebut (zinc/lead). Major resource companies have invested heavily in Western Australia to increase production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for Asian markets. In the last decade, investment in LNG export capacity is at record highs, but remains susceptible to global changes in demand linked to oil and shale gas prices.

Mining and Petroleum sales have declined in recent years with the closure of iron ore mines and ramping down or cessation in diamond production. However, future prospects are strong with Sheffield Resources Thunderbird mineral sands (zircon & titanium) and Northern Minerals Heavy Rare Earth Minerals (eg Dysprosium, Lutetium and Terbium) coming into production. Further exploration for a variety of resources, including gold near Halls Creek, continues. Improvements in the global oil price have initiated production restart on existing onshore oil fields.

The total value of resources commodities in the Kimberley in 2013/14 was $1.18 billion in 2013/14, with Gross Regional Mining product valued at $356M in 2016-17.

Agriculture

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Agriculture

With the perfect climate, soil and water resources to support agriculture, it is one of the Kimberley’s most progressive industries with large potential for future growth due to its the additional capacity and scope for development. Promisingly, the Kimberley has already succeeded in attracting large-scale foreign investment in the agricultural sector. Pastoralism is a major opportunity in the region, with 93 current pastoral leases, at least 30 of which are currently below peak production. There is an opportunity to improve the sector through better land management, breeding genetics, improved fodder and livestock performance, using proven Northern Australian operational models. The total value of cattle and calve disposal in the Kimberley was $161 million in 2012-13. The Ord River Irrigation Area has been developed in stages and will amount to 29,000 ha of agricultural land to support horticultural production. Stage 1 in the 1960s and 1970s saw construction of the major water supply and drainage infrastructure and created 14,000 ha of agricultural land. From 2009-2013 the Ord Irrigation Expansion Project (Stage 2) released 13,400 ha of additional agricultural land and supporting infrastructure, enabled through State Government funding of $311M via Royalties for Regions to. Proponent, Kimberley Agricultural Investment, has committed to the development of 7,400ha of the Goomig (Weaber Plain) farm area with an option to develop a further 6,000ha of Knox Plain land. Tourism

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Tourism

Tourism is one of the Kimberley’s iconic industries. Both domestic and international visitors flock to the region to experience unique, unspoilt attractions and tours. Kimberley Tours and Four Wheel Drive Routes are amongst the world’s premier four wheel drive adventures, the most famous of which is the mighty Gibb River Road.

Kimberley Cruises and Coastal Adventures are increasingly popular – not only is Broome’s Cable Beach is classed as one of the world’s best beaches, there are also many world-class attractions to be found just off the coast. Visitors can swim with over 650 species of fish in the Rowley Shoals Marine Park or enjoy longer Kimberley cruises to the Buccaneer Archipelago and beyond to witness amazing tidal movements at the Horizontal Waterfalls and the ancient rivers and gorges of this magnificent region.

During authentic Indigenous experiences, visitors can discover ancient Indigenous rock art in the region’s national parks or visit an Indigenous arts centre to learn about Indigenous art, history and hear Dreamtime stories.

Acquaculture

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Aquaculture

Finfish, including high value emperors, snappers and cods, are a principle focus for fisheries in the Kimberley. There are also significant fisheries for Spanish mackerel, barramundi, threadfin salmon and shark as well as limited-entry trawl fisheries for prawns. The Kimberley’s fishing industry was valued at $7 million in 2011-12.

The aquaculture industry in the Kimberley is dominated by pearling and barramundi farms. Pearling first commenced in the region in the 1870s and is focused on the production of South Sea pearls from the pearl oyster Pinctada maxima. WA South Sea pearls, known for their smoothness, lustre and large size, are marketed both within Australia and internationally. The pearling industry was worth about $67 million in 2014, making it the second most valuable fishing industry in WA after rock lobster.