Flood fund to boost Maryborough food industry jobs

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

More than 160 manufacturing jobs are expected to be created in Maryborough over the next five years following the announcement that specialist food manufacturer True Foods will establish a facility in the town.

True Foods will receive funding under the Victorian Business Flood Recovery Fund to help the company secure a $3.4 million capital investment in a state-of-the-art food processing plant.

This new operation promises to provide significant benefits for the local community through the creation of up to 165 local jobs over five years.

As a specialist manufacturer of flat bread products and supplier to major supermarket chains, True Foods will be a valuable addition to Maryborough's industrial base.

It will also present opportunities to expand and diversify into new industry sectors and provide additional value through the processing of local agricultural products.

True Foods selected the five hectare former Nestle site in Maryborough because it could accommodate the existing and future needs of the company including a capacity to develop and supply new products. Maryborough and the Central Goldfields Shire have a strong manufacturing heritage and the relocation of True Foods to the former Nestle site will build on the established manufacturing strengths of the local economy and labour market.

The Government's support for the new facility reflects a commitment to strengthen and diversify regional economies by backing sustainable, innovative industry and job-creating investments.

The size and scope of the True Foods development should also provide significant flow-on benefits to regional Victoria.

The new True Foods facility in Maryborough will support the continued economic development of regional Victoria with benefits that will flow to all of Victoria particularly the Central Goldfields Shire and the Loddon Mallee South region.