The Minns Labor Government is investing in four key projects to boost the Riverina’s local economy and deliver jobs as part of its plan to build economic development in regional NSW.

This funding is part of the Minns Government’s approach to delivering smart investment, with local partners, to make a real difference for regional communities.

The Minns Government’s NSW Regional Development Trust will firstly invest $5.72 million and funding recipients will invest a further $17.74 million, to deliver new manufacturing technology and expand tourism.

The four Riverina economic development projects receiving funds are as follows:

• $2.5 million – for a new state-of-the-art bottling line at the Leeton Juice Facility ***see attached image***

• • Australian Juice Processing and Bottling will install a new bottling line featuring automated and continuous operation that will include heating and blow moulding of containers, as well as filling, capping and labelling functions.
  • This equipment will increase facility output to up to 100,000 containers per hour.

(L-R) Minister Tara Moriarty, representative of Australian Juice Processing and Bottling in Leeton, Helen Dalton NSW MP for Murray.

• $2.27 million – to develop a Regional Demonstration Hub for chilling and freezing
  • Staughton Group will build a Regional Demonstration Hub for inline chilling and freezing to transform regional food processing.
  • The project will deliver new technologies to upgrade chilling and freezing infrastructure for regional food processors and provide equipment and services to regional NSW abattoirs and food manufacturers.
  • The new technologies will help make food manufacturing more sustainable and profitable.
• $568,959– to build the Hillston Arid Zone Botanic Garden
  • Carrathool Shire Council will develop an eight-hectare Arid Zone Botanic Garden in Hillston which will include the delivery of water and electricity services to the site, irrigation systems, a free camping and caravan area, an Aboriginal cultural learning area, irrigation systems, and the conservation of two existing scar trees on site.
  • The development will bring tourists to the region and boost spending on accommodation and in local restaurants and shops creating positive economic outcomes for the community.
• $382,428 – to deliver an agritourism and hospitality program
  • Wagga Wagga City Council will deliver a program to strengthen agritourism and hospitality businesses in Wagga Wagga and surrounding areas.
  • The program will include two masterclasses for up to 140 businesses to build skills in the tourism sector, mentorship for 20 businesses with one-on-one support and business coaching, and an industry familiarisation tour.
  • It will also deliver front-of-house training for 150 individuals to learn barista skills, wine service, bartending skills and bushfood education, a hospitality HR advisory service, and support for local businesses to exhibit at the Good Food & Wine Show.

Investments from the Regional Development Trust are reviewed by the Regional Development Advisory Council, an independent body appointed by the Minister for Regional NSW to provide advice to government on investments that must aim to meet the interests of regional communities.

Further announcements on successful projects across NSW from the Regional Development Trust will be made in the coming months.

Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The Riverina has many opportunities in industry, agritourism and hospitality, and the Minns Government is proud to support projects that will create jobs and boost local businesses.

“Investments that embed new technology into the Riverina’s local food processing businesses will bring productivity gains and expand production capacity, to ensure we can grow jobs and feed Australians and the world.

“Regional NSW has wonderful landscapes and people that can be supported with our Regional Development Trust investments to build their skills and agritourism attractions to attract Australian and international travellers.

“I’m looking forward to visiting the completed Hillston Arid Botanic Garden which will showcase the region’s unique beauty and keep visitors and locals coming back for more.”