MADFIG is very pleased to announce that we have just finalised the contract for the extension of the Drought Hub Node delivery for the Eastern Wheatbelt. This new contract means MADFIG will continue to support the Grower Group Alliance, which hosts the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) until June 30th, 2026.
As part of this role, our MADFIG Executive Officer, Glenice, attended the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) workshop in Perth during August and contributed into the review of the Wheatbelt priorities. The Hub process recognises four agro-ecological zones (Southern Rangelands, Mid-West & Gascoyne Coastal, Wheatbelt and Southwest). The Wheatbelt workshop reviewed previous priorities (2023) and looked at new opportunities for better outcomes in a hotter, drier climate.
The priority topics are grouped by theme and are “living” lists. This year, there were some changes from previous priorities, with several new ones being added.
View RAC Wheatbelt Priority Areas
Planning for the Future: Strengthening Wheatbelt Communities Against Drought
The Wheatbelt Development Commission and DPIRD (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) are tasked with developing a Wheatbelt Regional Drought Resilience Plan. Glenice, along with our MADFIG Drought Hub support, Meg, contributed input from a Grower Group perspective and the FRRR community-focused funding that MADFIG successfully obtained. This initiative was funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF) and included partnerships with the Wheatbelt Way, the Town Team Movement and Meridian Regional Arts.
If you have insights to share on “What will make the Wheatbelt resilient in the future?” we encourage you to get involved – but be quick! Click here to participate.
FREE webinar series: Drought Resilience in Action
Another of the SW WA Hub nodes, the Facey Group, has organised an End-of-Year Highlights: Drought Resilience in Action webinar series. On November 28th, they’ll explore water-use efficiency in farming, featuring two of our podcast stars, Richard George and Nik Callow, who will share key takeaways from the WaterSmart Farms project, a collaboration in which MADFIG plays a key role. For more details, please see flyer below or click here to register for “End of the Year Highlights: Drought Resilience in Action Webinar – Episode 2.”
Grant Updates: Future Drought Fund
Additionally, the FDF recently released two new grant rounds: Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices (Round 2) and Resilient Landscapes. Applications for both grants closed on November 19th.
MADFIG has been busy with invitations to partner and collaborate with various consortia from WA and across Australia. These projects span a diverse range of research topics, including water security, community resilience, ground cover, legumes, perennials and livestock (sheep). Now we wait for decisions to be made – results are not expected until sometime next year.
MADFIG is the Central & Eastern Wheatbelt Node of the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and receives funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
