George Weston Foods' (GWF) new Mauri flour mill in Ballarat is nearing completion after three years of construction, with the facility expected to be operational by the end of 2026. The Victorian government is supporting the project, which was initially announced in 2022, under its $150 million Victorian Investment Fund.
GWF is one of Australia’s largest food manufacturers, producing brands including Mauri, Tip Top, Abbotts, Don, and Yumi’s. The company is building a new flour mill in Ballarat, Victoria, to replace its existing mill in North Melbourne.
GWF CEO, Paul Foster, said: “With almost $500 million invested in our operations over the last decade alone, George Weston Foods is committed to being a long-term employer in Victoria, in partnership with the Victorian government”.
The Mauri flour mill project was initially announced in mid-2022, and expected to cost almost $133 million.
According to Empire Project Management, the Ballarat mill is slated to be a seven-storey built-form facility that will create 174 new jobs and help support more than 1300 farmers and businesses across Victoria. Acting as principal referee for the project, Empire valued the project at $110 million and confirmed in its capability statement that a Design & Construct contract was in place with BESIX Watpac, with construction to commence in mid-2023 and be completed by mid-2025.
In September 2025, BESIX Watpac provided an update on the build, stating it had been almost a year since breaking ground.
“The construction of the new flour mill includes the installation of 996 precast elements, with 710 already in place. So far, 4200m³ of concrete has been poured, contributing to the planned total of 5,000m³ across 44 separate pours,” the company stated.
“Located near a rail corridor for efficient grain delivery, the fully automated plant will operate with advanced processing equipment and sensors to ensure smooth operations and prevent flour build-up. Expected to top out over the coming months, the facility will also feature a solar system to support sustainability goals, with provisions for future expansion including a packing facility, car parking, roadways, and rail infrastructure.”
The Victorian government has invested more than $45 million to unlock land for commercial development at the precinct. This builds on an initial $30 million partnership with the City of Ballarat in 2015, with the city contributing $5 million.
Although the project has not been completed, the state government described it as an expansion, adding a new warehouse and production facility. The release also stated GWF will upgrade other parts of its network, including its Tip Top bakery operations.
Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, Colin Brooks, said GWF’s expansion is a win for regional Victoria.
“(It) is a testament to the strength of our food manufacturing sector, which is why we’re proud to support it,” said Brooks.
“We’re setting a bold new direction for local industry and backing it in with real support that will shift the dial on productivity.”
The investment was made under the new $150 million Victorian Investment Fund, which was established in 2025 to fast-track strategic investments across the state, with a dedicated $50 million regional stream. Tongala Nutrition was the most recent funding recipient, receiving a reported $1.5 million to support the company’s expansion.
George Weston Foods recently completed a $130 million redevelopment of its Tip Top Bakeries facility in Canning Vale, Western Australia, following a fire in October last year.
