Katanning suggested in GRDC move

In a heated debate involving the $31 million relocation of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, WA senators and Federal members are campaigning to shift it to the West - and Katanning could be on the radar.

Currently located in Canberra, the GRDC headquarters is slated to move to Wagga Wagga in NSW, but Senator Chris Back said WA grain producers contributed about 40 per cent of the GRDC grower levies and more than $75 million in grain research programs were under way in the State.

"If the move was seriously considered, WA should be in the loop," he said.

"Muresk in Northam already has the facilities and another viable option may well be Katanning because of the increased importance of the Great Southern in the grain industry."

The State Government is creating a grains precinct at Northam that will incorporate GrainsWest and affiliated grain bodies and Mr Back said this would induce a co-operative approach to grains research and provide a more cohesive WA grains industry.

Federal Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson said the GRDC was a national body and it was going to be hard to find a site that would keep everybody happy.

"It's going to be hard to come to a consensus on this issue, but we're going to fight for a WA presence," he said.

Shire of Katanning president Alan McFarland said a move to Katanning made sense.

"It is bringing that expertise back into the country - they are doing agricultural research and you can't do that in the city, you have to be where the work goes on, on the ground," he said.

"It would be fantastic for Katanning, we already have offices within the agricultural department, the Great Southern institute, sheep council, the schools, the recreational centre - we have the amenities to cater for it."

The shift is estimated to cost about $31.2 million of resources otherwise spent on grain research.

Mr Back said there was a strong case for the administrative centre to remain in Canberra, but there should be a greater GRDC presence in the region.

"There is a scope to have a smaller presence in Canberra, but there is limited representation in WA and if it does lead to some form of restricting, we are very serious that there should be greater representation in places like WA."