- Published:
- Monday 2 May 2016
The Andrews Labor Government has helped secure a $4 million investment in the Goldfields’ town of Mount Wallace to develop a state of the art compost facility, boosting the local region and creating jobs.
Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford toured the site of Pinegro Product’s planned development today, which aligns with the Labor Government’s plan to grow the food and fibre sector.
The project will create six jobs over the construction phase and 10 new ongoing jobs. These positions will require specialist abilities that will enhance the region’s local skills base.
New skills to the region include compost engineers, heavy equipment operators, administration and sales. All construction contractors and tradespersons will be sourced from local firms in the Moorabool and Ballarat region.
Established in 1979, Pinegro Products currently has 50 employees across Victorian sites in Morwell, Bacchus Marsh, and Goulburn, New South Wales.
The company’s core business is the production of organic materials including mulches, composts, soils and potting mixes which are sold in both bulk and packaged form.
The company’s expansion into Ballan is a welcome addition of a major company in an area that has few major employers.
The new facility will use waste diverted from landfill to create specialist compost and mulch products and will have the capacity to process up to 60,000 tonnes of compostable material per annum, saving the environment from the effects of significant amounts of landfill.
Through the $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, the Labor Government is supporting projects across regional and rural Victoria that will build critical infrastructure, create jobs, invest in communities and support new and emerging industries.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“We’re proud to support this innovative project that shows a real vote of confidence in Victoria’s food and fibre sector and the strengths of doing business in regional Victoria.”
“Pinegro Products expansion to Mount Wallace is a win for regional Victoria. It will create ten new jobs and bring new specialist skills into the Goldfields region.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard
“This is a great project that recycles organic waste in a sustainable way to produce high-quality horticultural products.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is proud to support innovative local businesses that create good jobs in our region.”