New South Wales has received a boost to its local food and beverage manufacturing industry, with the official launch of the new Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub, funded by $17.14 million from the federal government.
The Hub will support local food and beverage businesses to scale up from small-batch production to larger operations – providing access to commercial-scale facilities, industry expertise and specialist growth support to help businesses develop, test and commercialise new products more efficiently.
Initially announced in the October 2022 budget under the Establishing a Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub grant, the facility began construction last April. After a few months of wet weather delays, the hub is now ready to welcome tenants, following an expressions of interest phase opened last October.
The Hub is around 2100 square metres, including eight fully serviced food manufacturing spaces, a pilot facility, office, and amenities area. Three businesses have already signed on to operate from the Hub, with further spaces now available.
Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Senator Tim Ayres, said the Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub will help local businesses turn great ideas into successful products – creating jobs, lifting productivity and strengthening Australia’s manufacturing capability.
“This is about backing Australian producers with access to world-class facilities helping them to scale up, innovate and compete in growing domestic and international markets,” said Ayres.
“Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing sector is critical to our agricultural supply chains, food security, exports and regional economies. This Hub is an investment in the future of Australian manufacturing capability.”
The project was led by manufacturing industry body, Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC), and supported by the Central Coast Council, University of Newcastle, Regional Development Australia Central Coast, and Business New South Wales.
CCIC executive director, Frank Sammut, said the Hub project is designed to grow local food manufacturing businesses and establish the region as a major player in the national food processing industry.
“It's more than a building. It's more than just some equipment. It's leveraging these elements to drive collaboration, innovation, and skills development, technology, process improvement, and creating awareness of the food manufacturing sector,” said Sammut.
“The Hub represents years of vision, partnership and persistence, and is a major step forward for our $2 billion food and beverage manufacturing sector on the Central Coast.”
Head to centralcoastindustryconnect.com.au for further information or to express interest for tenancy.
