Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford today opened Fonterra Australia’s $31 million state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Cobden that will create 50 jobs and stimulate the local economy.
The new plant, including new milk and cream lines, will provide up to 100 million litres of fresh milk per year to retail giant Woolworths for its Victorian supermarkets over the next 10 years.
Previous Woolworths contracts with Fonterra Australia were for one year. The new agreement is a vote of confidence in the company, whose investment demonstrates a strong commitment to Victoria’s south-west.
Fonterra’s investment in the new milk processing plant also provides certainty for its farmers who can invest in their businesses knowing they have a home for their milk in the long term, supplying secure domestic markets as well as international export markets for dairy products.
The Cobden plant was established in 1888 and was acquired by Fonterra Australia in 2001. It is now the company’s largest Australian site with about 285 employees.
As well as processing milk from dairy farms across the region the plant makes well-known brands such as Western Star butter.
The 50 jobs are for process and packing operators, forklift drivers, maintenance electricians, maintenance fitters and pasteuriser operators.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“Fonterra Australia’s $31 million investment in its new milk processing plant in Cobden is a vote of confidence in Victoria’s dairy industry.
“The Victorian dairy industry accounts for 85 per cent of Australian dairy exports and was worth $2.3 billion in 2013-14.”
“The Victorian Government recognises the dairy industry’s significance to the state’s economy and to the livelihood of our regional and rural communities.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021