The Rudd Labor Government will provide $125,000 to Lockyer Valley farmers to complete the business case for a new beetroot processing factory in the region.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Joel Fitzgibbon, joined the Member for Blair Shayne Neumann and the Labor Candidate for Wright Sharon Murakami, in the Lockyer Valley on Thursday 22 August to make the announcement with local beetroot growers.
“Labor’s National Food Plan is a blueprint for the growth and sustainability of Australian agriculture and agribusiness,” said Mr Fitzgibbon.
“I know Lockyer Valley farmers have done it tough since Heinz closed its Brisbane facility and moving beetroot processing offshore to New Zealand.
“I am pleased to announce today that a re-elected Rudd Labor Government will match Lockyer Valley farmers dollar for dollar up to $125,000, so that a beetroot processing factory in the area is shovel ready.
“Shayne Neumann took a delegation of growers into Brisbane to meet with me a few weeks ago. I have considered their proposal carefully and am happy support a plan which aims to increase food processing in Australia,” he said.
The Member for Blair Shayne Neumann praised the efforts of local farmers and the Lockyer Valley Council for their work so far to bring beetroot processing back to the Valley.
“The decision by Heinz left Lockyer Valley farmers without an option to process locally grown vegetables,” said Mr Neumann.
“A few weeks ago I took a delegation of local beetroot farmers into Brisbane to meet with the Minister. I am very pleased he has listened to their concerns, understood their vision and committed to match the $125,000 already raised by local farmers.
“A local cannery will provide an enormous boost for growers and create dozens of local jobs for the future.
“I also congratulate Lockyer Valley Council which has been working with local farmers in identifying a two hectare site west of Gatton to build a new cannery.”
Labor Candidate for Wright Sharon Murakami said it had been a struggle for local vegetable growers since the Heinz cannery officially closed last year.
“Up until the Brisbane cannery closed, the Lockyer and Fassifern Valleys produced around 90% of Australia’s beetroot for processing,” Ms Murakami said
“Many farmers have been forced to plant different crops to make a living. The fact remains, this area of Queensland has the perfect climatic and soil conditions to grow the best beetroot in Australia.
“Lockyer Valley farmers are tough. Despite the cannery closing and the natural disasters of recent years, they are here to stay.”
The Rudd Labor Government will provide up to $125,000 in matching funds to undertake feasibility and planning work to make the processing facility shovel ready.
Funding will be sourced from existing streams under the National Food Plan.
