Two businesses in Melbourne’s south-east will expand their operations and create new jobs, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll today announced Local Industry Fund for Transition (LIFT) grants for Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs and Temptation Bakeries Pty Ltd.
Twelve other companies have also received assistance through LIFT to undertake more than $45 million worth of projects expected to create 354 new jobs, including 218 roles suitable for ex-auto workers.
Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs at Clyde will use its LIFT grant for a $20.88 million project that will create 108 local jobs and transition ten of its current workers to higher skilled roles.
The company will construct a five hectare ‘cultivation campus’ comprising a state-of-the-art greenhouse with sustainable horticultural growing technologies for uncovered and covered crops.
The new site will have fully automated herb and leafy green stocking, high capacity cold storage, and will incorporate cloud technology and sensors for control of growing times and locations.
Temptation Bakeries at Chelsea Heights will use its LIFT grant for a $600,000 investment project that will create 20 local jobs, 10 of which are suitable for ex auto workers.
The company will expand its existing site to include a new freezer storage facility that will increase storage of up to 500 pallets.
It will also purchase and install new state-of-the-art equipment, including a new depositor to expand its range of premium quiche products and a large industrial oven to allow for the extra bake-time required.
The project will enable Temptation Bakeries Pty Ltd to respond to new opportunities and reach new markets.
LIFT helps businesses create jobs for retrenched workers in areas affected by the closure of car manufacturing. It has supported 65 projects, expected to create 1,970 new jobs, including 1,412 jobs suitable for ex-auto workers.
Quote attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll
“We are proud to be supporting businesses in the South East to expand their operations and create new local jobs.”
Quote attributable to Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson
“Temptation Bakeries is a great local business supporting strong local jobs and this grant will help ensure they keep making great products long into the future.”
Other businesses to receive LIFT grants are:
- Australian Organic Honey Company Pty Ltd (Laverton North)
- Australian Performance Vehicles (Campbellfield)
- Bates Pipes Geelong Pty Ltd (Geelong)
- Berwick Speedy Seedlings (Narre Warren)
- GH Cabinets (Carrum Downs)
- Humphris Nursery Pty Ltd (Mooroolbark)
- Rapid Flow (Pakenham)
- RF Industries (Bayswater North)
- RollsPack Pty Ltd (Braeside)
- Sunfresh (Victoria) Pty Ltd (Sunshine)
- Taskmaster Hardware (Carrum Downs)
Reviewed 19 August 2020