The Horticulture Handbook - Agriculture and Food

Department of Agriculture and Food

Bulletin 4847 ISSN 1833-7236

The horticulture handbook

A reference guide for establishing horticulture enterprises in Western Australia

Supporting your success

DISCLAIMER

The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or the release of this information or any part of it.

3 Baron-Hay Court South Perth WA 6151

Tel: +61 (0)8 9368 3333 Email: enquiries@agric..au agric..au

Copyright ? Western Australian Agriculture Authority, 2014

Bulletin 4847 ISSN 1833-7236

April 2014

The horticulture handbook

A reference guide for establishing horticulture enterprises in Western Australia

Contents

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Horticulture checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Part A: Regulations and licences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Part B: Crop requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Part C: Budgets and marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Horticulture -- for fun, profit or ruin?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 1. The major issue: water availability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 2. Key issues: water, market, climate, labour and soils . . . . . . . 15 3. Other important issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 4. Growing for profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 5. Comments on selected crops. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 6. Tax matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Guide to legislation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 1. Planning controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 2. Land clearing controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 3. Pollution controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 4. Drainage and pumping controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 5. Water licences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 6. Fire control measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 7. Property access/egress controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 8. Flora/fauna controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 9. Handling and applying chemicals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Contact details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

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Introduction

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) assists WA's $6 billion agriculture and food sector to be sustainable and profitable, with a clear focus on export-led growth. Our department's vision is: "a progressive, innovative and profitable agriculture and food sector that benefits Western Australia". Our role as an economic development department is about supporting the success of, and creating value for, businesses all along the supply chain. The horticulture handbook has been developed by the DAFWA Small Landholder Information Service (SLIS). This handbook is designed to acquaint landholders and potential investors with the regulations, requirements and considerations necessary to develop a block of land for horticulture in WA. High prices, climate suitability and identified market opportunities make some horticultural crops appear an attractive investment. Before deciding to invest it is important to research a crop thoroughly from production planning all the way to the consumer. Thorough investigation will reveal a crop's true potential and help you make the best decision. The horticulture handbook is a valuable guide, which includes a checklist and sections on regulations, key issues, production and marketing costs and approvals, along with a list of references and useful contacts. The handbook is an excellent source of information designed to assist you to successfully establish a new horticultural business in WA. Neil Guise Regional Director, South West Agricultural Region April, 2014

Acknowledgements

This publication would not have been possible without the cooperation of officers from across the Western Australian government departments and agencies. Special thanks to staff from the Department of Agriculture and Food, Department of Environment Regulation, Department of Health, Department of Planning and Department of Water for the original content. Reviewed and updated by Jodie Bowling, Martine Combret, James Dee, Farran Dixon, Richard Fennessy, Alec McCarthy, Heather Percy, Rohan Prince, Helen Newman, Peter Tille, Leon van Wyk and Andrew Watson, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia. Also reviewed and updated by the Department of Environment Regulation and Main Roads Western Australia.

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