Burra celebrates
DEPUTY Premier Peter Ryan said the start of production of infant formula at Burra Foods, Korumburra, was a red letter day for the company and the town.
Production follows a $22 million expansion at the plant.
Mr Ryan inspected the move from older to newer, including robotic technology on Friday, with Eastern Victoria MLC Danny O’Brien.
Production of instant milk formula, formulated to exacting standards for the Chinese market, was a “$22 million window to the future,” Mr Ryan said.
The investment created 60 construction jobs, 26 new full time jobs across the business and secured more than 100 existing jobs at the plant.
“It will provide strong support to the local dairy farmers who supply the factory, and create even more new jobs on local farms and in supply chain businesses across the region,” Mr Ryan said.
“The expansion will enable Burra Foods to boost its export sales, particularly to the lucrative export markets in Asia, and closely aligns with our Food to Asia Action Plan.”
Burra Foods CEO Gary Crothers said the move into sophisticated markets with complex products was “a leap of faith” and described South Gippsland as a “sustainable and growing region.”
Mr O’Brien said the expansion included the development of significant water saving initiatives, including recycling and wastewater treatment infrastructure, to be completed by the end of the year.
He said while construction of the recycling and wastewater treatment infrastructure was being completed, Burra Foods was producing smaller batches of infant formula using existing wastewater treatment facilities, along with new water recycling and sterilisation equipment.
“Without the ultra-purified water in the manufacturing process and the ability to dispose of its trade waste, Burra Foods did not have the capacity to produce infant formula locally,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This significant Coalition Government investment has enabled this important water saving work to be carried out and the development of this new product to occur.
“Once complete, the water recycling and wastewater treatment initiatives will deliver significant benefits to the company and community through water savings and reduced trade waste discharges.
“This will reduce pressure on the town’s water supply by at least 165 megalitres a year or 62 per cent.
A bright future: with Burra Foods staff gathered behind, in front from left, South Gippsland Shire Cr Bob Newton, Burra Foods CEO Grant Crothers, South Gippsland Shire Cr Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks, Deputy Premier Peter Ryan and Danny O’Brien, Eastern Victoria MLC at the launch of Burra Foods’ infant formula production.
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