Program overview
The Hub’s Transformational Program aimed to investigate new and emerging systems or significant modifications of current systems that lead to transformational change of agricultural practices to improve drought and climate resilience in Western Australia.
The Future Drought Fund Drought Resilience Funding Plan (2020 – 2024) recognises the need for various levels of change, from small to transformational, to build drought resilience.
The barriers that farmers and communities face to undergo transformational change are significantly larger and more complex than those faced when making small, incremental changes. The size and complexity of the task to transform practices could mean individuals and communities are unlikely to act without support.
The Hub sought transformational project EOIs from Hub Consortium Partners that would lead to drought and climate resilience in Western Australia’s agricultural systems.
Through funding from the Future Drought Fund, the Hub granted $1 million to six projects at the beginning of 2024.
True transformational change can take years to develop and implement. It often involves multiple stages of development. While the Hub did not expect final solutions within the program’s 18-month timeline, the projects did contribute new knowledge, processes or capabilities that ultimately enable transformation.
Pathways towards resilience in Western Australia
The Connect magazine showcases the results and impacts of the six transformational projects initiated by the SW WA Hub.
Click the image to download a PDF version of the magazine.
Explore the projects
Identifying opportunities where renewable energy initiatives can enhance and complement existing agricultural businesses in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region.
This project positions Western Australia to lead a paradigm shift in agricultural resource management by exploring the potential of natural capital landscapes as a valuable asset class. Insights gained from this project help industry to make informed decisions.
Testing the use of biodegradable polymer sprays to improve water harvesting and water retention in cropping systems.
This project focused on the sustainable transformation of waste from the potato industry into a novel feedstock to replace or complement existing grain feed. The project also aimed to cut carbon emissions by improving efficiency and repurposing potato waste.
Exploring methods for monitoring methane emissions from WA farm dams. This project will highlight the broader benefits of improving water quality for better livestock health and productivity, and more effective spray programs.
Exploring how First Nations knowledge can provide alternative ways to address current and future climate challenges in contemporary agricultural systems.
News
- Article, Field Notes, Regional Nodes, Transformation Murdoch
Murdoch University and the Bioplastics Innovation Hub ran demonstrations at three spring field days for their Hub-supported project SMART SPRAYS - maximising the benefits from rainfall. The trials highlighted how these materials can capture and retain water, potentially reducing evaporation losses and redirecting rainfall to where crops need it most.
- Article, Field Notes, Transformation Farmanco
On 15 August, Electrify Ag 2025 brought farmers, researchers, industry leaders, and community voices together at The Hub in Technology Park, Bentley. Hosted by GGA member group AgZero, the event explored how rural Western Australia can embrace the opportunities of a clean energy economy.
- Article, Field Notes, Transformation ECU
The Transformational Aboriginal Agricultural Methods (TAAM) project, co-led by Maaman Marra Boodjar and Edith Cowan University, hosted a Field Day at Gimlet Ridge and Weelhamby Farms near Perenjori on Friday 12 September. The event brought together Traditional Owners, farmers, researchers, industry representatives and local agricultural college students to share knowledge and explore regenerative ways of caring for
- Article, Transformation Whole
Australia’s potato processing sector generates significant volumes of organic waste -mainly from the peeling and sorting of potatoes used in the production of French fries and other value-added products.
- Article, Transformation Farmanco
A policy announcement by the Western Australian State Government has triggered a significant surge in renewable energy projects across the state. Given Western Australia’s vast non-metropolitan areas and the relative ease of connecting to the South-West Interconnected System, agricultural landowners are being approached by energy companies seeking to establish renewable energy projects on their properties.
- Article, Field Notes, Innovation Farmanco, PropaGATE, Regional Nodes, Showcase, Transformation Murdoch, Transformation Whole, X-hub Contour Consulting
The SW WA Hub's Drought Resilience Showcase 2024 brought together farmers, grower groups, researchers, agribusinesses, and government agencies who are committed to enhancing the resilience of Western Australia’s agricultural sector. Watch the video recordings from the day's presentation.
- Article, Transformation UWA dams
The 2024-25 summer saw lower dam levels across many parts of the region compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing importance of farm water
- Article, Field Notes, Transformation UWA Natural Capital
The Natural Capital Production Landscapes project team hosted a cultural workshop on 20 March 2025, with a special focus on Ballardong Country. The event centred Aboriginal perspectives in natural capital conversations, highlighting the important role of culture in shaping sustainable land management practices.
- Article, Transformation Murdoch
Professor Daniel Murphy, from Murdoch University, travelled to the United Kingdom last month to collaborate with Dr Emily Cooledge and fellow soil scientists within Professor Davey Jones' laboratory at Bangor University, Wales, as part of the SW WA Hub’s Transformational SMART SPRAYS project.
- Article, Transformation ECU, Transformation Farmanco, Transformation Murdoch, Transformation UWA dams, Transformation UWA Natural Capital, Transformation Whole
Six transformational projects led by the SW WA Hub and funded through the Future Drought Fund (FDF) are making meaningful strides toward long-term agricultural resilience in Western Australia.
- Article, Field Notes, Transformation UWA Natural Capital
Ram Pandit, the UWA project lead for the SW WA Hub’s transformational project on natural capital, presented preliminary project findings at the Australasian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES) 69th Annual Conference held in Brisbane from 11 to 14 February 2025.
- Article, Field Notes, Transformation ECU
During the season of Birak (December–January), the Transformative Aboriginal Agricultural Methods (TAAM) project team mapped sites on Gimlet Ridge and Weelhamby farms where landscape interventions, such as leaky weirs, will be installed to slow water flow and improve the landscape’s hydrology.
- Media Release, Innovation Farmanco, PropaGATE, Regional Nodes, Showcase, Transformation Murdoch, Transformation Whole, X-hub Contour Consulting
The South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub hosted its inaugural Showcase and Field Tour on Wednesday and Thursday 11-12 December 2024. The event brought together farmers, grower groups, researchers, agribusinesses, and government agencies who are committed to enhancing the resilience of Western Australia’s agricultural sector.
- Article, Transformation Farmanco
A survey of 40 growers has shed light on the opportunities and challenges of wind turbine projects in the region. Growers emphasised the benefits of a collective approach to negotiations, highlighting room for better terms and fairer outcomes. However, concerns persist over strained relationships with neighbours, limited state government communication, and impacts associated with construction on local
- Article, Regional Nodes, Transformation Murdoch
In December 2024, Facey Group, the South-Eastern Wheatbelt Node of the SW WA Hub, invited PhD student Samantha Viljoen on their Drought Resilience in Action webinar series to talk about the SMART SPRAYS project. The video recording is now available.
- Article, Field Notes, Regional Nodes, Transformation UWA Natural Capital
UWA hosted educational workshops to share insights on natural capital production landscape opportunities. These sessions delved into the potential of a Natural Asset Company equity structure to drive significant changes in Western Australia.
- Article, Transformation Whole
Early trials showed that treated potato waste could replace barley in animal feed without compromising nutrition. However, challenges such as high moisture levels and bacterial content have highlighted the need for practical solutions to make the process more cost-effective for large-scale use.
- Article, Field Notes, Regional Nodes, Transformation UWA Natural Capital
On 23 October, South-West NRM, a regional Node of the SW WA Hub, hosted a 'Preparing for Drought' workshop at Rylington Park in Boyup Brook. The event brought together experts and organisations dedicated to building drought resilience.
- Article, Transformation UWA dams
The UWA Centre for Water and Spatial Science (CWSS) has deployed sensors at a pilot site to assess methane emissions, aiming to develop methods to gather data on how improved water management could reduce these emissions.
- Article, Field Notes, Transformation Murdoch
Murdoch University and CSIRO launched the Bioplastics Innovation Hub on 2 September, an $8 million collaboration that will work with industry to develop a new generation of 100 per cent compostable plastic.
- Article, Field Notes, Transformation ECU
This week, SW WA Drought Hub Director, Mark Holland, Hub Project Manager, Lucy Tomassini and Hub MEL Manager & Adoption Officer, Theodore Nabben visited Perenjori to gain valuable insights from Clint Hansen of Maaman Marra Boodjar on how he is utilising Aboriginal rehydration and restoration methods to address current and future climate challenges in contemporary agricultural systems.
- Article, Transformation Whole
Agtech company Whole Green Foods is using a zero waste, enhanced nutrient extraction technology to turn potato waste into feedstock as part of a transformational project with the SW WA Hub. The primary goal of this project is to offer a novel, highly nutritious animal feed to replace or complement existing grain feed.
- Media Release, Transformation ECU, Transformation Farmanco, Transformation Murdoch, Transformation UWA dams, Transformation UWA Natural Capital, Transformation Whole
Six 18-month transformational agricultural projects have commenced in Western Australia after grants worth $1 million were awarded by the South‐West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub).
More information
External resources
- Not all Water is equal: Water quality is the key to WaterSmart Dams (and Farms)
- WaterSmart Farms: Reverse Osmosis trials giving rural communities fresh water for the future
- WaterSmart Farms: Unlocking Opportunities with Desalination – From Stockwater to Spray Quality
- WaterSmart Farms Deep Drilling project with Dr. Richard George
- WaterSmart Farms: Wongutha CAPS