Message sent on Ord Stage 2 expansion

MG Corp chairman Des Hill says it's important that the Knox Plain development of Ord Stage 2 proceeds this year as planned.

Traditional owners of Ord Stage 2 land have travelled to Canberra to stress the importance of Federal environmental approvals for the project to meet its timeline.

MG Corporation directors Des Hill and Ted Hall made the trip on behalf of all traditional owners, meeting the Department of Environment about the required approval and potential conditions for development of the next stage, Knox Plain.

Late last year, Chinese-backed developer Kimberley Agricultural Investment indicated it would be important for its land-clearing program to stay ahead of farm development work.

General manager Jim Engelke said this would require a smooth transition from work at Goomig Plain to land clearing at the 6000ha Knox Plain lot.

Mr Hill, MG's chairman, agreed it was an important that the Knox Plain development proceeded in 2015 as planned, with works expected to start in September.

"If we can achieve that then continuous work for the staff building the Ord expansion could occur," he said.

"MG is aware of the need for scale to make the agricultural sector robust and we know we, along with the WA Government, need to play our part in helping with that.

"Like all people, the MG people want and expect to see the environment well managed and we think we can do that and still have the development."

Mr Hall said the pair discussed the need for freehold title to the buffer land to be transferred to MG Corporation to enable it to use the land into the future.

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Message sent on Ord Stage 2 expansion