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Melbourne Nov 10(TIE)The Andrews Labor Government is backing the Goulburn Valley food bowl, with three new projects set to create almost 140 new jobs. Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas today visited a hydroponic farm in Tatura owned by Flavorite, which is investing in a new multi-million dollar glasshouse thanks to support from the Labor Government’s Regional Jobs Fund.
Flavorite is a family-owned business and has become one of Australia’s largest glasshouse producers of fresh fruit and vegetables. The company can now hire 60 new workers and grow more produce year-round in a temperature and pest-controlled glasshouse.
The project will also help Flavorite to become more sustainable by using world-leading European technology that focuses on reducing CO2 emissions to reduce waste. Flavorite will also increaseefficiencies at Tatura with the ability to process and package products on site.
Fruit grower Kalpack has also received support through the Regional Jobs Fund and is investing in an organic fruit packing and processing facility that will be the first of its kind in Victoria, sorting fruit by size, ripeness and defects to help reduce waste.
The Government’s funding support is giving Kalpack the confidence it needs to establish a $6 million facility in Shepparton, allowing it to expand its workforce with 50 new full-time workers.
The company is one of three agriculture and manufacturing businesses in the Goulburn Valley to receive funding through the Regional Jobs Fund. Manufacturer of farm irrigation systems Padman Stops is expanding into civil construction, helping future-proof the company and create 40 new jobs.
The Regional Jobs Fund is part of the Government’s flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund which helps businesses create jobs in regional Victoria, supports community projects and backs councils to build the infrastructure that locals and visitors need.
A new round of the Regional Jobs Fund opened earlier this year and will be available throughout 2021 to companies seeking to grow their operations.
