The progress of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme is moving quickly. Since gaining approval from the Australian government in May KAI has already cleared 900 hectares in the stage II phase of development. KAI has pledged to spend $700 million on developing land for cropping under their lease to build a state of the art sugar mill. The project spans 14,000 hectares in under stage I, and 13,400 hectares under stage II with the possibility of extending an additional 14,000 hectares into the Northern Territory. The irrigation channel currently ends 6 km from the border of the Northern Territory but before the project can expand further the Australian government will need to resolve title issues.
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