Three new projects to create regional jobs and economic stimulus in Queensland

L-R: Kylie Porter - CEO, Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), George Christensen – Federal Member for Dawson, Professor Ian O’Hara - Deputy Director, Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, QUT, Matt Newland – Senior Biotechnologist, HangHo Wong – Principal Technologist.

The Australian Government is investing $10 million in three new projects in the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region under the Regional Recovery Partnerships program to deliver jobs and economic recovery and diversification.

This includes a new Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub for the Whitsunday region, delivering Stage 2 of the Clermont Saleyards and Showgrounds Revitalisation and upgrading the Biocommodities Pilot Plant in Mackay.

The $5.2 million upgrade the 10-year-old Biocommodities Pilot Plant, owned and operated by QUT, will enhance the region’s capability in biomass processing, fermentation, separation and product development technologies

This will increase our agricultural productivity and sustainability, attract investors to the region and grow local business opportunities by grasping the real growth opportunity presented by globally in-demand biocommodities.

An Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub, which will be based in the Whitsundays, will deliver ag-tech programs and training to boost the sugar cane, beef, aquaculture and horticulture industries.

The $1.5 million contribution to the hub will connect local SMEs, industry and researchers to regional producers and processors to help increase the rate of technology adoption to boost on-farm productivity and workforce capability.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry welcomed Stage 2 of the Clermont Saleyards and Showgrounds Revitalisation Project, which will increase the capacity of the facility to service the sale demands of the region.

“This $3.2 million project will deliver improved infrastructure and technology upgrades including a new entrance and car parking to improve cattle movements, new spelling yards to bolster saleyard efficiencies, replacing the ageing rodeo ring and refurbishing the show pavilion to create a more fit-for-purpose multi-user space,” Ms Landry said.

“This will support growth in our cattle and showgrounds-related industries, provide new ongoing jobs by increasing the number of cattle the saleyards can host and allow our region to capture a greater share of cattle sales to provide a real value-add to the region.”

Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday was one of 10 priority regions across Australia eligible for funding under the Australian Government’s commitment of $100 million over two years to fund Regional Recovery Partnerships. The Partnerships coordinate investments with other levels of government to deliver jobs, economic recovery and economic diversification.