A NUMBER of agricultural and horticulture businesses in the Wide Bay Burnett area will share in a $12 million funding boost from the Federal Government through the Regional Jobs and Investment Package.
Announced by Regional Development Minister John McVeigh today, seven projects worth a combined $38 million were allocated grants.
The Biggenden saleyards will receive $1.2 million to upgrade their facilities including a new layout with 384 selling and 61 holding pens, new weighbridge, overhead walkways, buyers laneways, double and single deck loading ramps and new drafting facilities.
It will increase their selling capacity by 43 per cent.
Macadamias Australia will be given $4.68 million to expand its Bundaberg facility for processing and tourism.
Another $2.5 million will go to the Isis Central Sugar Mill as they look to build a railway track from Cordalba to Wallaville to support their production expansion following recent trials in non-coastal areas.
Austchilli will use $1.5 million to expand its Bundaberg operations with extra processing abilities while Costa’s avocado packing facility at Childers will look to expand with $495,000.
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh joined the Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt and the Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd to announce the successful projects.
“After an extensive assessment process involving strong community input, the Coalition Government will help fund seven key local projects with a total value of more than $38 million across the region,” Dr McVeigh said.
“This major investment will help create over 150 jobs during construction, more than 350 ongoing jobs and provide residents with a range of new employment and investment opportunities.”