Super-agency boss a farm boy

The man chosen to lead the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is enthusiastic about his role at the new super agency.

Ralph Addis, the current director-general at Department of Regional Development, will take up the new department’s top role from July, when the department begins operating.

Primary Industries and Regional Development is a merger of the current departments of Agriculture and Food, Regional Development, Fisheries and the nine regional development commissions.

Originally from a Cranbrook farm, Mr Addis lived Kununurra for more than a decade as the head of Wunan Foundation.

He also served as chairman of Kimberley Development Commission for two years.

“I am delighted to have been named as the acting director general,” Mr Addis said.

“Having grown up in a farming family at Cranbrook, and lived most of my adult life in the East Kimberley, I’m excited about the opportunities in agriculture and fisheries, and that’s great for our regions,” Mr Addis said.

“The world wants more of what we can produce, and our ability to compete, innovate and grab that opportunity will be key to our prosperity.”

Mr Addis said bringing together the primary industries would create opportunity for the private sector.

“I am already working closely with staff across the fisheries, agriculture and regional development sectors,” he said.

“We're confident we can build on the strong foundations already in place to deliver more opportunity for the future.”

Mr Addis moved into his current role in 2014 ahead of managing the investment of $1 billion in regional WA in 2014-15.