NT Land Corporation releases new farmland around Larrimah, bringing jobs and growth

A plan to develop more than 5000ha of farmland around Larrimah will deliver a bunch of mainstream and less-common crops. There will also be an employment boost.

Australian-owned consortium Larrimah Farms Pty Ltd has been chosen as preferred developer at the new Larrimah Agricultural Precinct.

The 5700ha project, about 180km south of Katherine, is the smallest of three agricultural precincts planned by the NT Land Corporation.

The Keep Plains Agricultural Development and Wildman Agricultural Precinct are also on the cards.

Larrimah Farms Pty Ltd has extensive hands-on experience in primary production and agribusinesses.

It will lease the precinct from the NT Land Corporation.

An expressions of interest process, which concluded in June of 2021, failed to identify a suitable applicant and Larrimah Farms was selected through a direct negotiation process.

Larrimah Farm’s Jamie Schembri said the company would bring “innovation and diversification of crops” to the region.

Mr Schembri said this would develop local capacity and capability and could bring up to 60 new jobs to Larrimah.

“We will be producing a range of broadacre crops and a selection of tropical grass seeds which are best suited to the location,” he said.

“Initially we will be focusing on growing melons and progressively trialling new crops such as ginger, turmeric, cumin, black sesame, fennel, caraway and hemp and expanding into new varieties of crops which have been trialled previously such as chickpeas, corn and sorghum.”

NT Land Corporation has more than 1400ha suitable for intensive agriculture.

NT Farmers chief executive Paul Burke is looking forward to the new project getting off the ground. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

The area was selected for agricultural development because of the advantage of an extended season for crops - such as melons - as well as irrigated crops including peanuts and legumes.

NT Land Corporation general manager Michael Holmes said the selection of Larrimah Farms followed“a rigorous assessment process” that would deliver “a successful and innovative agricultural venture”.

“NT Land Corporation has worked closely with government agencies and NT Farmers Association to ensure the land for this development was suitable and ready for release to an experienced proponent, which will assist to ensure economic returns for northern Australia long into the future,” Mr Holmes said.

NT Farmers chief executive Paul Burke said the development would contribute to the anticipated growth of agriculture nationally, estimated to hit $100bn by 2030.

“The Northern Territory has a diverse and well-established agriculture sector with efficient supply chains and offers significant opportunity for development and growth,” Mr Burke said.

Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler said as well as agricultural jobs, opening Larrimah for agriculture would attract opportunities for skilled professionals from across the country.

“The precinct lies near the proposed infrastructure corridor between Tennant Creek and Darwin, which is being planned to support regional development and access to services across a range of industries including agribusiness,” Ms Lawler said.

Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler said the Larrimah agriculture plan would bring skilled professionals to the region. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

“Continued attraction of private investment is a key factor to achieving our goal to deliver a $40bn economy by 2030.”

Mr Schembri was a director of Greenview Farm Pty Ltd, which in April 2020 successfully tendered to develop 200 hectares at Douglas Daly Research Farm.

In 2021 the NT government revoked a 10,000 megalitre water license at the site after objections from the Northern Land Council and Environment Centre NT.

Larrimah Farms Pty Ltd will need to apply and access all approval permits as part of its leasing agreement with the NT Land Corporation.