About Murray Industrial Hemp
Exploring the viability, excited by the outcomes.
The Murray Industrial Hemp journey began in 2020 when Western Murray Land Improvement Group (WMLIG) united farmers to explore new industries, aligning with community feedback on water availability, agricultural diversification, and economic resilience.
The community emphasised diversification, innovation, and partnership as the key to growth and resilience.
A hemp cluster group was then formed, engaging 15 farmers to explore opportunities in the hemp value chain.
Development of Hemp Projects align to NSW Government Strategy
The investment in industrial hemp aligns closely with the NSW Government’s Regional Investment Strategy by promoting economic diversification, creating jobs, fostering sustainable agriculture, encouraging community collaboration, supporting innovation, and enhancing resilience to climate-related challenges.
Murray Industrial Hemp - Directors
Bryan Goble
Bryan has a diverse skillset and experience in agriculture, the building industry, community development and law enforcement.
After spending 12 years as a NT police officer, he moved into agriculture, converting a Koondrook dairy farm into a thriving walnut business. During this time, he served on the Australian Nut Industry Association (including four years as president) and the Australian Nut Industry Council.
For the past 20 years he has run a large-scale plumbing business, while playing vital roles in the local community, including as Koondrook Development president and a Rotarian.
He has a Diploma of Horticulture (Production).
Felicia Chalmers
Felicia has a professional background in journalism, editing, local government, corporate communications and grant writing.
She is also a strong community advocate, having held a multitude of volunteer roles in sport, art, education and service clubs.
She now owns and runs a large mixed farming business in southern NSW and northern Victoria with her husband Michael, growing rice, winter cereals and dorper sheep in both irrigated and dryland farming systems.
Felicia has completed the AICD Foundations of Directorship certificate.
Leigh Fletcher
Leigh has over 30 years’ experience in agriculture, manufacturing, stakeholder management and project management.
His career has centred on water management, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of irrigation infrastructure, community consultation and contract management.
Leigh has spent the past six years developing expertise in the hemp industry, including growing hemp crops and completing a hemp building course.
He has been instrumental in forging industry connections and partnerships to advance the hemp industry.
He holds a Diploma of Project Management and has completed the AICD Directorship for Cooperatives and Mutual Enterprises (CMEs).
He also serves as a director of Murray Plains Meat Cooperative.
The Murray Industrial Hemp Project Introduces
- An environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional house bricks, manufactured at a competitive price point.
- Industrial hemp as a viable summer crop, offering local irrigators a sustainable alternative to traditional crops.
- By cultivating and processing hemp, we anticipate creating 30 full-time equivalent (FTE) direct and indirect jobs, fostering stable local employment and generating an annual economic activity of $4.4 million.
- The lower water requirements of hemp cultivation promise enhanced water efficiency and increased agricultural output, further contributing to economic growth.
Ultimately, this project is poised to elevate socio-economic indicators, improving conditions through increased employment opportunities and economic activity, thereby benefiting the entire community.
- The lower water requirements of hemp cultivation promise enhanced water efficiency and increased agricultural output, further contributing to economic growth.