In September 2023, the State Government opened the $10.3 million Agriculture Machinery Training Centre (AMTC), which includes new workshops, classrooms and an industry-standard shearing shed.

These new facilities have contributed to Muresk’s growth as a major regional training hub, brokering agricultural education and training services through its multi-tenanted, multi-functional campus.

The AMTC has driven significant growth in apprentice training delivery, with agricultural mechanical apprentice numbers surpassing national benchmarks. Critically, the AMTC enables regional apprentices to access world-class agricultural machinery training, in a familiar environment, which is closer to home and their support networks. For employers the AMTC helps equip their local workforces with agricultural machinery skills, which are tailored to their unique community needs.  

Pillar 1 would build on the existing successful agricultural mechanical training programs already being delivered through the AMTC, to ensure they meet the diverse – and changing – workforce needs of WA’s agriculture sector.

In addition to Muresk being home to modern agricultural training facilities, the property is an operating farm, which has almost 900 hectares of land suitable for cropping, grazing, and live-stock handling.

Murdoch University’s (Murdoch) School of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (SVAS) maintains a considerable relationship within the agricultural sector.

Course offerings encompass livestock health, production and management with the aim of equipping students with the skills to address challenges in animal husbandry and modern farming systems within WA and globally.

To deliver these courses, Murdoch needs to access livestock, which it currently maintains at other property holdings.

Pillar 2 would provide Murdoch with a simpler, more fit-for-purpose and bio-secure solution to the livestock holding, management and instructional needs of its SVAS.

Pillar 2 would see Murdoch enter an agistment arrangement with Muresk, providing the SVAS with access to sheep and cattle for its teaching needs.

Over time, Pillar 2 would see SVAS deliver more instructional activity at Muresk.

The Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) represents the traditional owners of Ballardong Boodja (country), which spans some 63,000 square kilometres and accounts for a significant portion of the Wheatbelt.

BAC has established the Ballardong Ranger Group (Ranger Group) to provide a range of natural resource management and conservation services to Northam, York, and Quairading.

The Ranger Group is expanding its work to encompass building and maintaining firebreaks, fencing, weed management, rubbish removal and heritage and environmental surveys for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

With significant growth in the Ranger Group’s workforce and activities, the group needs an operational base on Ballardong Boodja.

Pillar 3 would enable BAC to establish a base at Muresk and make use of offices, sheds and plant nursery infrastructure for training and operational activities.

The Review also identified how the pillars could also complement each other and leverage Muresk to:

• make better use of shared assets;
• integrate educational and training programs;
• collaborate on research and development opportunities;
• foster community engagement and economic development; and
• enhance funding and investment potential for their business activities.

The Department of Training and Workforce Development will continue to work on behalf of the State Government to work with industry on Pillar 1.

Negotiations to establish formal agreements to implement Pillars 2 and 3 are currently underway with Murdoch University and Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation.

The initial phase of implementation will provide each organisation with an opportunity to explore a working relationship with Muresk, each other and the agricultural mechanical sector, to identify areas of synergy in training, asset utilisation, as well as future investment requirements with clarity.

The Department of Training and Workforce Development will continue to manage Muresk moving forward; with education, training and research activities continuing as normal throughout implementation of the Pillars.