South-West WA Hub Update

December 2025

Dry Season Resources

Dry Season Resources podcast

Find the latest episodes of the SW WA Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast below. Be sure to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform to never miss an episode. 

Dry Season Shorts: fast, practical tips for dry times

Short on time? So are we. That’s why our Dry Season Shorts video series delivers quick, practical advice from people tackling dry seasons head-on.

Watch our latest clips:

• Pastures 365: building resilient pasture systems with diversity | Dr Rowan Smith, University of Tasmania
• Technology transforms irrigation at Tamar Valley vineyard | Kellie Graham, Josef Chromy Wines
• Feeding Wagyu through dry times at Sevens Creek | Christine McGregor, Sevens Creek Wagyu
• Building resilient soils, pastures and markets at Western Plains Beef | Iain Bruce, Western Plains Beef

General News

Explore our new Webinars section

We’ve launched a dedicated Webinars section on our website, featuring recordings from the Hub and our Regional Nodes.

These sessions showcase local expertise, practical insights, and regionally relevant knowledge to support communities, practitioners, and organisations working in climate adaptation, resilience, sustainability, and place-based innovation.

Whether you’re revisiting a session, catching up on one you missed, or exploring topics for the first time, this library is designed to make learning accessible and convenient.

Upcoming Hub event

Webinar – SMART SPRAYS: maximising the benefits from rainfall – 29 January

Join us for the first session in the Building Resilient Landscapes lunchtime webinar series for an in-depth look at SMART SPRAYS: Maximising the benefits from rainfall, one of six projects supported through the SW WA Hub’s Transformational Program.

Project leads Professor Dan Murphy and Cheryl Rimmer from Murdoch University will introduce the SMART SPRAYS project and the problem it set out to solve: how to capture more rainfall where it matters and improve plant water-use efficiency in a drying climate. The team will share how the project moved from concept to field demonstrations, the challenges encountered, and the key learnings emerging from testing biodegradable polymer sprays designed to enhance water retention in cropping systems.

Date: 29 January 2026
Time: 12.00 pm – 12.45 pm
Location: Online (MS Teams)

Hub Projects in Focus

Video recording now available for the 'Agrisolar opportunities for WA farming' webinar

Can solar energy production and agriculture thrive together?

Catch the recording of the SW WA Hub webinar on the 'Plant Production Agrivoltaics Across Southern Australia' project. Explore Western Australia’s first agrisolar vineyard trial, global examples, opportunities for other agricultural industries, plus practical advice on design, installation, and costs.

As mentioned during the webinar, we’ll be hosting an event in March next year at Plume Estate Vineyard to share results from the field trial. Subscribe to our Project Follower List to be the first to know when this event is announced.

Mark your calendars: the 'Building Resilient Landscapes' lunchtime webinar series arrives January 2026

As the Hub's six transformational projects reach completion, we’re excited to share insights from each initiative, including how project leads tackled their challenges, what they discovered, and what comes next.

Save the dates (registrations links coming soon):

• Thursday 29 January – SMART SPRAYS: maximising the benefits from rainfall - REGISTER NOW
• Thursday 12 February – Sustainable transformation of waste from the potato industry into novel feedstock
• Thursday 26 February – Diversifying farm income: integrating renewable energy into agriculture
• Thursday 12 March – Barriers and opportunities for agricultural natural capital as an asset class
• Thursday 26 March – Transformative Aboriginal agricultural methods: Maaman Marra Boodjar
• Date TBC – Preliminary investigation of methane emissions from farm dams in Western Australia

Together, these projects deliver new knowledge and capabilities that support transformational change in agricultural practices, strengthening drought and climate resilience across Western Australia.

Keep up-to-date with The Ripple Effect

Subscribe online to receive news and alerts and stay up-to-date with The Ripple Effect project, a national, grower-led initiative designed to improve water security, biodiversity, and emissions outcomes for Australian farmers.

Led by GGA, the project partners include the University of Western Australia, the Australian National University, the University of Adelaide, the University of Southern Queensland, and The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and is supported by all eight national Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs.

The project is funded by a grant from the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust Climate-Smart Agriculture program.

Scan the QR Codes to find out more and to subscribe.

Hub Team Out and About

Transforming post-mine land into agricultural opportunities

On 1 December, CRC TiME and the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (WAARC) brought together 50 mining and agriculture experts in Perth to look at how land left after mining could become productive farmland. The aim is to create options that keep farming strong in Western Australia as conditions and climates change, set realistic and productive alternate options to revegetation, while also involving Aboriginal communities in planning and enterprise.

Participants explored eight key areas, including integrated regional planning, water and soil engineering, pilot demonstration sites, and ag-tech opportunities. Discussions highlighted innovative possibilities such as building optimal human-made soils, algae farming, and leveraging successes mining operations have had in the lower South West in turning mining land into farmland.

There is the potential for a mutually beneficial relationship between mining and agriculture as we adapt to changing landscapes and climates. 

World Soil Day: building stronger soils for the future

On 4 December, SoilsWest and the SW WA Hub hosted a forum at Murdoch University to mark World Soil Day. The event brought together people from across the soils industry to discuss grower and industry-identified challenges and how we can prepare for changing conditions.

Hub Director Dr Jo Wisdom shared insights on drought resilience, risk, and producer perspectives gathered through recent engagement. She also outlined where we hope soils will be in five years. After presentations, participants discussed priorities for research, including soil health measurements, amelioration, nutrient efficiency, climate resilience, digital tools, and workforce development. These conversations are shaping the next steps for soil innovation in Western Australian agriculture.

Regional Nodes

Regional Node visit to the Facey Group. L-R: Theo Nabben (SW WA Hub), Mary-Anne Glanzlowe (SW WA Hub), Franco Renteria (Facey Group), Alison Lacey (SW WA Hub), Tina Astbury (Facey Group). 

Connecting with Regional Nodes before Christmas 

The Hub Extension and Adoption team, Mary-Anne Glanzlowe and Theo Nabben, along with Regional Node Manager Alison Lacey, have been on the road visiting our Regional Nodes before Christmas. Over the past month, they’ve travelled more than 3,500 km, meeting with South West NRM (Bunbury), Southern Forests Food Council (Manjimup), Northern Agricultural Catchments Council - NACC (Geraldton), Stirlings to Coast Farmers (Albany), South East Premium Wheat Growers Association - SEPWA (Esperance), and Facey Group (Wickepin).

These visits provide valuable opportunities for face-to-face conversations about drought resilience priorities, upcoming demonstrations and events, and harvest progress.

Several Nodes also highlighted the broader benefits of being part of the network, including stronger connections with other Nodes, grower groups, and local governments. Discussions explored synergies with other projects they’re involved in, such as GGA’s Farm Elevate program, as well as issues and opportunities for engaging younger farmers.

Soil Stories

Regional Soil Coordinators at Soil Judging Competition in NSW

The national cohort of Regional Soil Coordinators recently travelled to Armidale, NSW to join the annual Soil Judging Competition hosted by Soil Science Australia. Nothing short of a significant organisational achievement, this year’s event held at the University of New England involved over 220 people from 11 countries!

Bridget Watkins, Regional Soil Coordinator for South-West Western Australia, shares insights on the event and why soil classification matters for land management. 

Bridget Watkins is the South-West WA Regional Soil Coordinator (RSC). The RSC project provides opportunities for researchers, primary producers and community groups to collaborate and share knowledge related to soil health and management. The project is supported by the Australian Government's Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust, and in South-West WA is led by the SW WA Hub in partnership with SoilsWest at Murdoch University.

Relevant News, Events and Resources

Register for updates on new RIC loans coming in 2026

A new RIC Drought Hardship Loan is coming to assist farmers in long-term drought with short-term financial relief. It will be for farmers in drought for at least 24 months and expect to be for another season. Eligible farmers will be able to:

• Borrow up to $250,000
• Current variable interest rate 5.18%
• 5-year loan term 
• No interest payments in the first 2 years
• Interest will accrue, with principal and interest repayments to commence from Year 3
• Eligibility, credit and risk assessment criteria apply

An additional new loan for improving climate resilience, boosting sector productivity, and supporting agriculture to be part of Australia’s net zero transition is coming in the second half of 2026.

Want to register for updates on the new loans? Visit www.ric.gov.au/new-loans

Join the Drought Resilience Interdisciplinary Network

The Drought Resilience Interdisciplinary Network (DRI-Net) connects researchers from diverse disciplines working on all aspects of drought resilience. The network fosters collaboration, supports innovative research, and links academics with key stakeholders including landholders, community groups, industry and government.

Members receive regular updates on drought resilience research, funding, training opportunities and events through a shared communication platform coordinated by the Vic Drought Hub, helping ensure research leads to real on‑ground impact.

More than 230 researchers have already joined DRI-Net, of which 99 (so far) have provided additional information and agreed to share their information online.

Great Southern Development Commission announces new Drought Resilience Plan

The Coastal Great Southern Regional Drought Resilience Plan is now available online. It was developed by the Great Southern Development Commission in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the WA Government. This community-led, evidence-based roadmap will help the Great Southern region proactively prepare for and respond to future dry seasons.

The Plan covers the City of Albany, Shire of Denmark, Shire of Plantagenet, and the Frankland River region in the Shire of Cranbrook. It identifies key focus areas including water infrastructure, climate monitoring, sustainable agriculture, community support, risk management, research and innovation, and environmental conservation.

Local governments, producers, community organisations, and Traditional Owners are encouraged to use the Plan to guide decision-making, investment, and collaboration.

Locally Relevant News from the Future Drought Fund

No drought declarations needed, support is always available

Did you know that farmers or agribusinesses don’t need a drought declaration to access support from a bank or to access Australian Government drought programs? 

The Australian Government no longer makes formal drought declarations. Instead, a range of support options are always available for those experiencing hardship — to help farmers and agribusinesses prepare for, manage through, and recover from drought.

Banks are able to help too. If you work with farmers or agribusinesses feeling financial pressure, encourage them to contact their lender early. Banks have dedicated teams ready to help.

Visit Support without drought declarations to find out more. Feel free to share this information with your own stakeholders and networks.

You can also visit Australian Banking Association Financial Assistance Hub to see how lenders can help.

To learn more about Australian Government drought support, visit drought.gov.au

Find out about the Future Drought Fund

The Future Drought Fund (FDF) provides secure, continuous funding for drought resilience initiatives and will help Australian farmers and communities prepare for the impacts of drought.