Barra farm targets dry season for start of $50m expansion

THE $50 million stage 2 expansion of the Humpty Doo Barramundi farm is forging ahead with the business lodging its development application

THE $50 million stage 2 expansion of the Humpty Doo Barramundi farm is forging ahead with the family run business lodging its development application with the plan for work to begin this dry season.

Humpty Doo Barramundi Farm chief executive Dan Richards said the expansion will create 169 construction jobs as the projects roll out and a about 281 total on going operational jobs associated with the works.

MORE TOP NEWS

Calls for hospitality workers ahead of busy dry season

Travellers from Brisbane in NT told to get tested for COVID-19

Hamish Blake, Zoe Foster-Blake and family on holiday in the Top End

“There are currently about 120 people working directly for the farm and we are working with 60 local businesses,” he said.

“It is very much our intention to start construction this dry season. The Australian market values our high quality Northern Territory grown barramundi and we are seeing strong demand.”

The footprint of the farm is approximately 198ha, which includes the north, south and east farms; all of which have been progressively constructed as production requirements of the farm have increased over time.

Infrastructure in the next stage of the 152ha west farm expansion includes 47 new production ponds, wetland water treatment and resupply system, nursery and ancillary generator and feed storage sheds and improvements to existing facilities such as the nursery, packing shed, roads and electrical, which includes the addition of rooftop solar.

In order to accommodate the west farm expansion, the existing vegetation, comprising low level grassland / sedge land, will be cleared.

The land was previously cleared and used for rice fields.

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) last month reached contractual close on $24.2 million funding for the expansion which will allow the business to take advantage of increased demand for high quality Australian seafood. The business will match the NAIF funds dollar for dollar.

HOT NEW DEAL: Read everything for 28 days for just $1

NAIF has been working with Humpty Doo Barramundi since 2018 and its first $7.18m loan for pond and nursery facilities was completed last year.

Humpty Doo Barramundi is the largest producer of premium farmed barramundi in Australia.

Mr Richards said the NAIF loan has helped the family to expand the farm, increasing the supply of quality, Australian-grown Barramundi while creating jobs in regional areas.

“We are working here in the remote wilds of the Northern Territory to make Australia more self-sufficient and secure in its Australian grown barramundi supply,” he said.