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The Federal Government has committed $33.4 million toward the construction of a food and beverage manufacturing precinct at Sunshine Coast Airport, creating a new home for companies in the region.
The precinct will bring together beverage company Lyre’s Spirit Co, the Queensland Drinks Accelerator and ingredients company Doehler Australia with the Food and Agribusiness Network and University of Sunshine Coast.
Once complete, the companies and organisations will be able to take advantage of shared warehousing and logistics facilities, an education training centre, and a collaborative high-tech manufacturing plant.
The Federal Government hopes that by bringing all facilities together under one roof the Sunshine Coast food and beverage industry will be able to collaborate and build further capability.
It’s expected the project will create 131 new jobs during construction and support 687 once operational with $200 million in economic benefits.
Minister for Industry Angus Taylor said the Sunshine Coast is home to incredibly innovative manufacturers especially when it comes to food and beverage products.
“Food and beverage manufacturing is the largest manufacturing sector for the Australian economy. One in four people employed in manufacturing are employed in our food and beverage sector and it contributes $27.5 billion to our economy,” Minister Taylor said.
“This funding will support some of the most innovative producers leverage technology to increase their production, while meeting growing export demand and creating new local jobs across the region and beyond through this world-class airport precinct.
“Not only does it remove barriers to businesses getting started, it will also help companies build their capabilities together and drive growth in the food and beverage sector on a scale not yet seen in Australia.”
Funding for the Sunshine Coast food and beverage hub is part of the Federal Government’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
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