Milk money
Hooray: from left, milk giant Murray Goulburn gave South Gippsland Shire Cr mayor Kieran Kennedy, Cr Jeanette Harding and economic development coordinator Ken Fraser plenty to cheer about this week with news of a multimillion dollar injection of funding into the Leongatha factory.
LEONGATHA’S commercial future is on the rise, after Murray Goulburn announced a $19.1 million expansion of the Leongatha factory’s UHT plant last week and more business development on the way.
Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Darryl McGannon welcomed the news and took the opportunity to spruik the town’s commercial attractions.
“It’s good they’re investing substantial money here. It confirms their commitment to the town and the area. If Murray Goulburn is investing more money, that helps farmers,” he said.
Mr McGannon said Leongatha’s future lies in boutique shops that provide excellent service. Such small businesses, combined with the larger players who are already here, offer an overall shopping experience that’s attractive.
“If you look after your customers in a small town, they keep coming back,” he said.
Mr McGannon is keen to see more big corporations investing in Leongatha and hopes South Gippsland Shire Council will work hard to attract them.
“When the Business Four zone is up and running that will be positive too,” he said.
“But at the end of the day, business can only do so much. Council needs to be looking to entice more businesses to the town – they should be bending over backwards to entice people here.
“And we need a decision on the railway land.”
South Gippsland Shire mayor Cr Kieran Kennedy was elated with MG’s news.
“The $19 million injection of funding into the Murray Goulburn factory in Leongatha is just the sort of positive news we need and it will be the spring board for value adding to growth in the town and the shire,” he said.
“Our shire is really becoming the dairy capital of Australia and we already produce seven per cent of the nation’s milk.
“With four dairy manufacturing plants in the shire including Murray Goulburn in Leongatha, Burra Foods, Korumburra, United Dairy Power, Poowong and Toora’s new Viplus Dairy factory, we are one of the key players in Australia’s food production.”
Cr Kennedy said council aimed for the region to be the “gateway to the dairy capital of Australia”.
“Demand in Asia is driving the Murray Goulburn expansion and we are happy to support food production in the shire,” he said.
Council’s economic development coordinator Ken Fraser said council is happy to promote and assist growth in the dairy industry in the local region.
“Murray Goulburn is a very important in the growth of business in the shire and we are in discussions with the State Government to promote farming and food production in the shire,” he said.
“Manufacturing is the key to economic growth and jobs creation in the shire, and we are actively promoting the shire to attract new business to the shire.”
Cr Jeanette Harding said the opening of the Viplus Dairy factory at Toora had been fabulous for the town.
“This is what Toora and surrounding towns, Welshpool, Port Welshpool and Foster has been looking for the past 20 years,” she said.
“Viplus has been great for the town and already has attracted another new boutique business that will open on the factory site.
“Viplus is really working in with the community, and the development and new projects are exciting and great news for the shire.”
As for new business coming to Leongatha, there has been talk in the community about Aldi coming to Leongatha.
While Mr Fraser was tight lipped about this, he did say there were some exciting developments down the track and to “watch this space”.
The chamber has long wanted development possibilities on the land between the back of Bair Street and the railway line.
Mr McGannon thinks drawing Kmart or Aldi here would help give the commercial centre a fillip.
But he thinks small business done well provides the point of difference Leongatha needs.
“There have been some good success stories in town,” he said.
“There are businesses that are thriving because they’ve found their niche.”
Rusty Windmill Cafe in McCartin Street is one. Mr McGannon also mentioned Henriettas, Nikolina’s Florist and Gifts, and Flower Power as other examples of shops that provide great customer experience.
“There are nice eateries around and a lot of people come to Leongatha for that type of shopping. It’s a nice, attractive town and always has a good feel to it. Businesses up the street do a fantastic job with customers,” he said.
There will be other opportunities when the old Henriettas site is redeveloped.
Owner Tony Westaway said he has received a planning permit for two shops that will retain the historic facade that survived the June 2010 fire that razed the rest of the store.
Mr Westaway was particularly keen to retain the facade because his grandfather Vin Knight built what started out as Knight’s Garage. His grandson put the rebuilding out to tender and said he is currently reviewing the tender documents. He said he’d be happy to speak to any potential tenants.
“You always have to be looking at your business. So many don’t realise people do so much internet shopping,” he said.
“But there are still plenty who are looking for old fashioned service.”
And that, stressed Mr McGannon, is just what Leongatha excels at providing.
Chamber members met at the RSL last night to discuss ideas for boosting Leongatha’s commercial hub.
Council representatives will be heading to the Regional Living Expo at the Exhibition Centre in Melbourne from April 19 to 21.
Cr Kennedy said they will be heavily promoting Leongatha and South Gippsland Shire as the place to live and work.
He said the shire has fabulous education options, state of the art health services and wonderful sporting facilities.
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