Turbine Precinct gets $33.4m in federal funding

The Turbine Precinct, a manufacturing, education and innovation facility for food and beverage producers, has received $33.4 million in additional funding from the federal government. Having recently appointed a new project director, the precinct is moving according to schedule.

The funding from the government, which had already contributed $8.78 million, will allow the hub, located at the Sunshine Coast Airport, to continue its development.

“A critical element of success for the Precinct will be the collaboration between project partners who are made up of small, medium and large businesses, research organisations, industry groups, training institutions and investors,” said the Chair of Turbine, Shay Chalmers.

“The project is built around collaboration and will demonstrate what’s possible when you build a culture of co-operation, where businesses and organisations share a vision and find ways to work together. The advanced manufacturing capability combined with the support of education partners will develop the pipeline of skills within the precinct to set the industry up for future success.”

Turbine is aiming to serve as a collaborative environment where manufacturers and small–medium enterprises can gain education, research and development, and training opportunities to grow their businesses.

“This massive investment will transform the local food and beverage sector and will create a stronger future for the Sunshine Coast — built on a stronger economy,” said Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien.

“This end-to-end collaborative food and beverage precinct is a world first, and it will provide lucrative opportunities for businesses at all stages and all sizes to build, scale and export, all under one roof.

“But it’s not just business that will benefit. This project will create lifelong careers for local people. From food technologists to designers and engineers, the TURBINE Precinct will create hundreds of highly skilled careers for locals within an industry where the Sunshine Coast will be among the best in the world.”

The CEO of the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN), Emma Greenhatch, knows only too well the challenges FAN members face when trying to scale and access new markets.

“With such high barriers to growth in our industry, collaboration is key to ensure we have a resilient and competitive food and beverage manufacturing sector into the future. Uniquely, the Turbine Precinct will house end-to-end infrastructure and support that will allow start-ups and SMEs to take a great idea through to commercialisation and export — all in the one location.

“Every grower and food and beverage manufacturer from across the Sunshine Coast region and beyond can benefit from this project, from the R&D and education and training facilities to the contract manufacturing, expertise and advanced manufacturing knowledge hub, and hospitality showcase,” Greenhatch said.

131 jobs will be created during the construction of the precinct with a further 687 in manufacturing roles and retail trades expected to follow with its completion.

Operations are expected to begin at Turbine in late 2023.

Image caption: Sunshine Coast Cider founders Martin and Regine with Food Agribusiness Network CEO Emma Greenhatch.