Kimberley cotton gin officially opens after more than a decade of development
The $60 million facility, owned by Kimberley Cotton Company — a consortium of local growers and Traditional Owners — will process up to 100,000 bales a year and run on 100 per cent renewable hydro power from Pac Hydro's Lake Argyle generation system.
Premier Roger Cook said the new gin would help meet growing demand for sustainable cotton production.
'The opening of the Kimberley Cotton Gin is a significant achievement that follows years of collaboration between industry, Traditional Owners, the local community and government,' Mr Cook said.
'This is a new era for sustainable cotton production in WA, set to inject millions of dollars into our State's economy over the coming years and generate quality jobs for the people of the Kimberley region.'
The 79.4-hectare gin site received $9m from the WA Government and a $34m loan from the Commonwealth's Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and has since begun processing bales
Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King said the opening signalled the start to a potential 'billion-dollar industry' for WA's North.
'This state-of-the-art facility represents far more than just infrastructure — it's the foundation of an entirely new industry for the Kimberley region,' she said.
'The project has the potential to transform the cotton industry across the Kimberley and into nearby parts of the Northern Territory by ensuring locally grown cotton can be processed and prepared directly for the market.'
Regional Development and Kimberley Minister Stephen Dawson said the project would have flow-on benefits for the region over its lifetime.
'I look forward to seeing how this visionary project will help generate jobs, growth and flow-on benefits in the Kimberley for generations to come,' he said.
Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna said the opening marked a significant achievement and that the project would leave a lasting legacy in the Kimberley region.
'The project is a testament to our government's commitment to developments in the region and the dedication of local growers and industry to building a sustainable, diversified future in the East Kimberley.'
The State Government has also unlocked 5500 hectares at Knox Plain for cotton production, part of a broader push to scale up supply and keep the new gin operating at full capacity for years to come.
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