Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan today visited Oneva Holdings in Alstonville to discuss the construction of a new $300,000 macadamia cheese-making facility that will create ten new local jobs thanks to a Federal Government grant.
“I’m happy to provide the Federal Government grant to kick start this innovative project that will not only create ten more local career opportunities but also see higher macadamia prices for farmers,” he said.
“The project includes a purpose-built extension with automated plant and equipment to an existing rural facility.
“This will allow the company to produce a macadamia-nut based cheese using fermentation and related plant-based ingredients for domestic and international vegan and lactose-intolerant consumers.
“The company is also working with North Coast Tafe to develop workforce skills as well as Southern Cross University and Queensland University of Technology to help explore new export opportunities.
“This project and the other eight job-creating projects I announced last month are game-changers for our community.
“Together they will create more than 1000 new local jobs and in terms of wages, will bring in an additional $50 million into our community every year.
“That is why I fought hard to get grants of more than $17 million to make sure these projects happened.”
The Federal Government contributed $147,000 to the project with the company matching the funding.
Oneva Holdings’ Stuart Picken said: “A catalyst for the facility’s development is about value adding to raw produce rather than watching Australia’s raw materials sent offshore for processing”.
“Adding value onshore results in a workforce that is creative, skilled and mindful about their environment.”
“We have enormous creative talent on the North Coast of NSW and are also blessed with an ecologically diverse and robust environment. These two factors are testament to the many artisan food brands developing in the region and are also a catalyst for the development of this facility.”