The key platform of the Liberal Party’s election stance is hitting home in the Bega Valley in a big way.
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On Wednesday, the federal government announced $1.6million in funds from its Regional Jobs and Investment Package was to be invested in Eden-Monaro, creating an estimated 70-plus jobs.
Of the seven businesses receiving “jobs and growth” funds, four are based in Pambula, and one each in Bemboka, Quaama and Bodalla.
New hop-growing operation Ryefield Hops has just harvested its second crop at its family property in Bemboka. It’s one of the first hop producers in all of NSW, with the bulk of Australia’s product coming from Tasmania and Victoria.
Co-owner Karen Taylor said they were ecstatic with the announcement of an RJIP grant worth almost $600,000 coming their way.
“We’ve just finished our second harvest with family and a lot of friends picking every cone by hand,” Ms Taylor said.
“The money will go towards a mechanical harvester that can pick hundreds of ‘bines’ an hour rather than hundreds of cones an hour.”
She said it will also allow the fledgling business to purchase its own machinery rather than borrowing, as well as developing on-site drying and storage facilities.
“Hopefully some time in the future we can also open a micro-brewery, like a cellar door,” she added.
Ms Taylor said the RJIP grant requires them to match the amount dollar-for-dollar, with the overall investment a significant boost to Ryefield.
A key aspect of the federal government package is the creation of new jobs.
Ms Taylor said the equipment installation and hop field expansion will generate local employment opportunities, while ongoing seasonal work will also be created through Ryefield’s growing operation.
Meanwhile, Bega Valley Eggs is also planning to expand both its capacity and processes as well as employees, with the announcement of a $259,000 RJIP grant.
Owner Lyndal Guthrie said the small business’s plan is to value-add to its already existing line of free range eggs, with the opening of a small species abattoir.
“We now have the volume of hens to sustain that, but we want to open that up to other commercial producers in the region as well,” she said.
Dan Tarasenko and Lyndal Guthrie moved their operation to the Barrabaroo property at Quaama from Nethercote a year ago, giving them plenty of scope to expand.
“We have a very loyal local following,” she said. “But now we want to grow that and get the taste of the Bega Valley into the capital cities.”
Other Far South Coast businesses to have successful grant applications were North Eden Timber ($132,077), hearse-builder Hammond Conversions ($222,001), cabinet-maker JW Pointon and Son ($125,000) and Sapphire Coast Tourism, which will receive $74,750 for a program of training and skills development for the region’s tourism operators.
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh said the projects would generate 35 jobs during construction and more than 35 ongoing.
“It’s essential we help regions like the NSW South Coast unlock their potential by investing in key projects that support their economic future.
“This $220 million pilot program being rolled out in 10 regions across the nation is designed to diversify regional economies, particularly those that have undergone large structural changes, to help drive economic growth and jobs.”