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‘Sorted out’: Sunflowers Animal Farm set to open soon with water complications resolved

Breanna RedheadBusselton Dunsborough Times
Sunflowers Animal Farm will seek to borrow water from the Yarragadee Aquifer.
Camera IconSunflowers Animal Farm will seek to borrow water from the Yarragadee Aquifer. Credit: Breanna Redhead/BDT

The family-fun farm tangled up in a water bungle that led to a red-faced apology by the State Government has confirmed it will soon open to visitors.

Just days after the State Government was forced into a backflip on the property’s water requirement, Sunflowers Animal Farm said it will open its new Ludlow facility in the next few weeks.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development had told the facility it would need 30 megalitres of water to operate the facility, which is relocating to Ludlow 23 years after first opening in Margaret River.

After a wave of online support, DPIRD gave SAF a new estimated allocation of about 12 megalitres.

Farm owner Steve Jones met with the department last week to discuss a resolution to the issue, telling the Times the farm has since applied for a water licence to access the required allocation from the Yarragadee Aquifer.

In the mean time, the company will lease the water from the Aquifer until the licence is approved.

“We’ve bought the licence, and while that goes through, it takes months and months, they’ve allowed us to lease that water in between so we’re guaranteed water now,” he said.

“We got the problem sorted out... I think we’re on track now, I’m feeling pretty confident about it.”

Late last week, the City of Busselton also ventured out to the property to view it for the application, acting director of planning and development Lee Reddell saying the City was working closely with the well-loved business to get them on their feet.

“The City is currently considering a development application for the relocation of this business from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River to a new site within the City of Busselton,” he said.

“The City will continue to work with the applicant and the relevant State Government agencies to find opportunities for sufficient water to allow this much loved business to go ahead in its new home.”

While they are yet to disclose any problems concerning the application, Mr Jones said he doubts there will be any “major issues”.

Mr Jones invested $1 million in building and relocating to a new premises.

He additionally spent $40,000 on a 1.5 megalitre domestic water supply at the new location.

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