Australia’s first purpose-built, end-to-end collaborative food and beverage manufacturing precinct – Turbine – has appointed Frances Cayley as project director. Cayley will head the multi-million dollar development, located next to the Sunshine Coast airport in Queensland.
Turbine had been a work-in-progress for five years, spearheaded by the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN), with the goal to position the Sunshine Coast as a centre to support food and beverage businesses to scale.
In November last year, the project received $8.7 million in one of the funding rounds for the Modern Manufacturing Initiative grants.
Turbine director and FAN CEO, Emma Greenhatch said, “Over the past six years FAN has created a one-of-a-kind, collaborative ecosystem to support the growth of the food and agribusiness industry across the Greater Sunshine Coast region.
“Turbine will take this to the next level, providing advanced manufacturing capability, critical services and education and training to turbocharge industry growth.”
Greenhatch said Cayley’s skills in property, stakeholder engagement and her values made her the ideal person for the role.
“Turbine is a project that started on the premise that collaboration is the key to future success and with a vision to create a blueprint for the future of Australian food and beverage manufacturing.
“The Turbine Precinct will be a place where industry, research, government and education and training providers collectively unlock growth and drive innovation, and Turbine’s Board are delighted that Frances will be leading the project,” Greenhatch said.
Cayley was previously head of property at the Sunshine Coast Council with a $1 billion portfolio that included the Sunshine Coast City Hall where she was the project director.
With more than 20 years of experience in senior roles in the property industry, Cayley has worked across both the private sector and local government managing a diverse range of property portfolios.
“Turbine presents an opportunity to establish an important asset that will contribute significantly to the Sunshine Coast’s future.
“This precinct will shine a light on the importance of manufacturing in the food and beverage sector and will offer so many opportunities to those smaller businesses who really need the support to help them scale, break into new markets and increase their market share,” Cayley said.
Stage 1 of the Turbine Precinct will have a focus on beverage manufacturing, and it is envisaged that in addition to working with and supporting start-ups and small businesses, this export-ready facility will also attract global beverage brands who see the facility and its location as a gateway to international markets.
When complete, the Turbine Precinct will house manufacturing services, a research and development facility, warehousing and logistics, an expertise hub and an industry-specific training facility all of which are aimed at helping local food and beverage business scale up and develop the capability to expand into larger markets nationally and internationally.
This is the start of something truly special, not just for the Sunshine Coast but for all of Australia and it is a privilege to be a part of such an innovative initiative for our region,” Cayley said.
Turbine is due to start operating in late 2023.
