CLAYING, cropping and rotational grazing are among the projects planned for investment company Hassad Australia's 10 Telopea Downs properties.
The foreign company purchased more than 40,000 hectares of agricultural land in the area in April.
Hassad Food Company Qatar's premier investor and developer in the agriculture and livestock sector established Hassad Australia in November 2009 as its first overseas investment.
Telopea Downs is one of Hassad's many investment properties across Australia.
Hassad Australia chief executive Tom McKeon said land use at the properties would not change significantly, but improvements would be made to infrastructure and soils to increase productivity.
He said key projects for the next 12 months were claying of sandy soil to improve water retention ability and improving fencing, yards and housing.
"Hassad Australia is increasing the number of employees on Telopea Downs from eight, pre-purchase, to 15 plus and is welcoming the new employees and their families into the local community," he said.
"As Hassad recruits and fills out the staff compliment it is planned that employees and families will reside at eight of the 10 properties.
"The other two currently do not have viable on-site accommodation."
Mr McKeon said the company adopted a 'buy local' policy and had purchased tractors, tools and equipment from Bordertown, Nhill, Horsham and Kaniva for operations at Telopea Downs.
"In the initial three months of operations 21 trade accounts have been opened with suppliers in Nhill, Kaniva and Bordertown," he said.
"The company actively supports the local communities where it operates, which it sees as key to its ongoing success.
"This includes utilising local suppliers, contractors, agents and businesses including vets, agronomists and fencing companies."
Mr McKeon said housing renovation works would will start this month.
