State Government department backflips on Sunflowers Animal Farm water allocation

Community support for a beloved South West attraction has forced a State government department into an embarrassing backflip on the water requirement to run the farm. Sunflowers Animal Farm has been forced to postpone its grand reopening in their new Ludlow facility after they were told they would need almost 30 megalitres to operate their family-friendly park. Business owner Steve Jones took to social media about the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s ruling on the family-run attraction, receiving an outpouring of community support. After gaining large online traction, Mr Jones told the Times the DPIRD had contacted the farm “apologising profusely” for misunderstanding the purpose of the farm. Sunflowers has been favourite destination since first opening in Margaret River 23 years ago. 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. Mr Jones said the new facility had been in the works for seven months and was getting ready to open within weeks when DPIRD said Sunflowers would need 27.75 megalitres to operate. “The land was originally zoned to be a zoo. . . we were told it would be real easy,” he said. “We were 135 days into this application. . . it was supposed to be sorted in 60 days.” Member for Vasse Libby Mettam described the red tape requirements as “bureaucracy gone mad”. “At a time when we are meant to be supporting our small business, it is extraordinary the challenges (the farm) have had to manage, they have clearly tried to do the right thing and to work within the rules but have been faced with one hurdle after another,” she said. “Sunflowers Animal Farm is a very popular attraction for locals and overseas visitors and it is upsetting that post-pandemic plans to reopen at the new site in Ludlow, for the benefit of employees and for the region have had to be cancelled.” Upon hearing the news, the owner took to Facebook to announce the postponement of the reopening and received an outpouring of love from visitors as far as Asia. “We were so touched, we just couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I picked up more followers on the Facebook page in one day that we pick up in six months.” One worker also disclosed she was applauded by locals on her grocery run when they noticed her uniform. Mr Jones said the department gave him a new estimated allocation of about 12 megalitres. “DPIRD and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation continue to explore options with the property owners to find a pathway to fulfil their land and water management requirements and re-establish their business as soon as possible,” DPIRD Soil and Land Conservation Commissioner Cec McConnell said. Mr Jones also confirmed the Department of Water has asked to meet this week and work to resolve the issue.