The Andrews Labor Government is supporting one of Victoria’s largest cultivation facilities to produce its first batch of medicinal cannabis, with the site expected to create hundreds of jobs.
Leading grower and processer Cann Group is close to completing its ground-breaking $115 million cultivation and processing facility in Mildura which is on track to cement Victoria as a leader in the medicinal cannabis sector.
Construction of the first-of-its-kind facility in Australia involves the extension and refurbishment of a former fruit juice factory, which has the capacity to grow up to 70,000 kilograms of dried cannabis flowers which will be used to produce capsules and oils.
Works on the 13.5-hectare site also include a fully automated glasshouse facility, laboratory, testing facility and cultivation rooms.
The project is being completed across two stages and has already supported 133 jobs during construction. In addition, 16 full-time equivalent employees are currently working at the facility with a workforce of 40 full-time jobs expected to be in place by December.
The project is expected to deliver $191 million to the Mildura regional economy and aligns with the Labor Government’s Medical Cannabis Industry Development Strategy to supply half of Australia’s medicinal cannabis by 2028.
Cann Group is licensed to research, cultivate and manufacture medicinal cannabis and also manufactures pharmaceutical grade medicinal cannabis products for Victorian patients.
Products will be made available throughout Australia and approved overseas markets via pharmaceutical businesses.
The project has been supported by the Regional Jobs Fund which is part of the Government’s flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, helping businesses create more jobs in regional Victoria, supports community projects and helps councils to build the infrastructure locals need.
The Fund is key to the Government’s investment of more than $36 billion across regional and rural Victoria since 2015. Information about the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund are available at .
Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas
“We’re supporting more jobs through this game-changing project, ensuring Victoria is at the forefront of Australia’s emerging medicinal cannabis industry.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
“This facility is unique to Mildura and is accelerating the future potential of a crucial industry. The medicinal cannabis industry is growing rapidly and Victoria is well placed to compete in the sector.”
Reviewed 28 May 2022