THE Nationals in government will relocate the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) headquarters to Northam, putting an end to years of delays and uncertainty under the Cook Labor Government.

Leader Shane Love MLA said the Cook Labor government’s failure to deliver the long-promised facility has left WA’s agriculture and regional development sectors in limbo.

“Under Labor, Western Australian agriculture doesn’t have a home,” Mr Love said.

“WA Labor promised a world-class DPIRD headquarters at Murdoch University in 2022, with a $320 million price tag, yet as we enter 2025, those plans have been abandoned.

“Adding insult to injury, $176m in funding was stripped from this critical project in the recent mid-year Budget review, and Labor has pushed the project out beyond 2028, leaving staff and the sector without a clear plan or timeline.”

Currently, nearly 200 DPIRD staff are operating out of temporary facilities at the Claremont Showgrounds or working from home, following the closure of the South Perth offices due to asbestos concerns.

The government plans to spend an additional $9.3m this year on alternative temporary work areas for staff.

“The Nationals in government will restore the $176m cut by WA Labor and use it to build a world-class facility in Northam,” Mr Love said.

“This new headquarters will provide permanent workspaces for staff, modern laboratories, an incident and emergency management centre, and on-site research and development facilities such as fields and glasshouses.”

Nationals WA candidate for Central Wheatbelt, Lachlan Hunter, said Northam was the ideal location for the new headquarters.

“Northam is the heartland of WA’s agricultural sector, offering existing infrastructure, space to grow, and proximity to the Muresk Institute for education and training,” Mr Hunter said.

“Relocating DPIRD to Northam would bring hundreds of stable jobs and significant investment into the Wheatbelt, aligning perfectly with the department’s purpose of serving WA’s agricultural and regional communities.”

Mr Hunter emphasised the accessibility of Northam for staff and stakeholders.

“Less than an hour from the metro area, with regular public transport including the Avon Link train, Northam offers the best of both worlds – a regional base for agriculture and research while remaining easily accessible for staff who choose not to relocate.

“After years of Labor’s broken promises and neglect, The Nationals in government will make agriculture and regional development a top priority by delivering a world-class DPIRD headquarters in Northam.”