Koala Cherries, a family-owned cherry grower, has completed a significant regional infrastructure project in Yarck with an 8km pipeline drawing water from the Goulburn River.
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Family-owned cherry grower Koala Cherries has unveiled a major regional infrastructure project with the completion of a new pipeline servicing its orchards in Yarck.
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A key piece of the project is an 8km pipe that draws water from the Goulburn River to irrigate existing and newly developed cherry orchards in Yarck.
The project commenced in 2017 and has proceeded with the support of the Victoria Government, Department of Transport, VicRoads, Goulburn-Murray Water, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, local landowners and the local Taungurung community.
The initiative is set to enhance the local economy, create jobs and potentially provide water to the broader community.
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The secure water supply will be used to underpin Koala Cherries’ expansion of its export sales.
The Yarck Pipeline eliminates a major risk factor from the cherry growing operation.
“With a permanent crop like cherries, you simply can’t go without water for even a month — you have to keep the trees alive,” Koala Cherries managing director Michael Rouget said.
“The benefit of this pipeline is that it takes away this risk completely.”
Supported by various entities, the project secures water supply for cherry orchards, ensuring tree survival and boosting export sales.
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After eight years in development, the project is set to boost the Goulburn Valley’s regional economy and strengthen local employment.
“Our business is labour-intensive, so it’ll create a lot of jobs in the area,” Mr Rouget said.
Koala Cherries employs more than 60 full-time staff, many with specialised skills, including agronomy, packing technology operation, marketing, finance and logistics.
This workforce increases to over 1000 seasonal workers each cherry season.
“Additionally, we’ve modelled (the pipeline) so that we can provide water to the broader community as well,” Mr Rouget said.
Koala Cherries began in 1944 when Reginald and Mary Rouget planted their first cherry orchard in the Yarra Valley.
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