The Member for Northern Tablelands took the Minister for Regional Development to the Moree farm to show what further state government funding could help achieve there – including up to 80 more direct jobs for the town.

Mr Marshall said the “incredibly impressive” farm produced 90 per cent of Australia’s pecans, but could expand with more investment in drip irrigation instead.

“Probably about 55 per cent of their farm, the trees are flood-irrigated,” Mr Marshall said.

“Drip irrigation gives a better-quality product and they’ve been gradually trying over the years to convert more of the property from flood to drip irrigation, to enable them to dramatically expand their operation, because they can have more trees with the same amount of water.”

Mr Marshall said the company trucked its pecans to its factory in Toowoomba for processing and packaging.

“If we’re able to dramatically expand the farm here, it becomes more commercially viable to move that factory in Toowoomba to Moree – and the almost 80 jobs that go with it,” he said.

Mr Marshall said the business already employed 28 full-timers a year, as well as about 50-60 casuals at harvest time in late April.

He said it would cost “in the millions” to convert the whole farm’s irrigation.

“It’s not about the government funding all of that, but the contribution we could make would fast-track those plans.”

Mr Marshall said it had been “a warm day even for seasoned locals”.

“He’s the Member for Monaro … I don’t think they get too many days over 35 degrees, let alone 45. He showed great resilience and survived the day.”