Support for Werneth grain storage facility

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Road access to a new $5.2 million grain storage facility at Werneth will be significantly improved following the announcement of $120,000 in funding from the Victorian Government.

Funding will be provided to the Golden Plains Shire for the Southern Quality Produce (SQP) Werneth Grains Storage facility- Road Infrastructure Improvement Project.

The project will include the construction of turning lanes into and out of the site on the Colac-Ballarat Road at the Werneth Main Road intersection.

The work is essential to the efficient functioning of the new grain storage facility and will significantly improve safety around the site. This will be particularly important during the busy months around harvest when the surrounding roads are expected to experience much higher traffic volumes.

The improved infrastructure at the facility will also create opportunities for further investment generating future benefits such as the creation of more local jobs.  It will support at least four full-time employees and during harvest, from November to February, an additional 20 part-time positions will be created.

This sort of investment will have much needed flow-on effects for businesses in the Golden Plains Shire region. The site will also significantly improve transport and delivery options for local farmers, providing a centralised point for delivery and storage of grain.

Funding for the project will be provided through Regional Development Victoria's Putting Locals First program with the road upgrade works expected to be completed ahead of the 2011 harvest.