The Ord River scheme is based in North West WA. The river has a massive, but highly seasonal flow, through relatively dry country by the time it hits the coast. It is full of crocs. In it's natural state it wasn't much good for agriculture, but some very large new dams have changed all that. One of the dams created is so large that you cannot see the shore from some places. The only problem is, there is no local market for the produce, because so few people live there. The nearest big market is Indonesia, but that is not economical if you have to pay Australians huge somes of money to go over there and work the farms to grow food for dirt poor Indonesians. One of the few succesful businesses is growing sandalwood for incense burners for the chinese market - they are small and expensive, so transport isn't such an issue. Many people would like to see the scheme expanded, but the economics don't stack up at the moment.

One possible solution to this is to open the door to poorer migrants to work the farms, for a significantly lower salary, but a stable livlihood with plenty of cheap food. It would solve the problem of wages and the lack of a local market. Everyone benefits. The migrants get a better life. We get a new tax base, a new industry and a new population centre in one of the least densely populated areas of the country. This is perhaps the last chance for a land rush for poor people from more populated places on earth. One problem with this is that we would have to restrict the movement of these immigrants. however, this is already done, for example with migrant doctors who are forced to work in rural areas. A bigger problem is allowing migrants to work for lower wages.

What do you think?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ord_River