A local family-owned nursery is growing thousands of new plants across two of its Gippsland sites to create more local jobs and drive economic growth in the region thanks to support from the Allan Labor Government.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today represented Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney in Yarragon to announce the completion of Habitat Creations nursery expansions. Both expansions in Yarragon and Moe are made possible by an investment through Regional Development Victoria.
The nurseries are now capable of producing an additional 500,000 aquatic, riparian and terrestrial plants each year using recycled rainwater, generating a boost in the company's production capacity.
Nine full-time jobs have been created across both sites to maintain the plants, adding to Habitat Creations' 60 existing employees who work across Gippsland and Greater Melbourne.
The Yarragon expansion includes a 2,000 square metre aquatic plant growing nursery, interactive mobile office area and a training room to boost employee skills while in Moe, the nursery's growing area has increased from 500 to 1,000 square metres to provide more space for plants.
The expansion includes an increase in seed storage capacity which is boosting the company's capacity to develop new seed drying and cleaning technologies. The nurseries will also save on energy and costs with the adoption of solar power and an upgraded irrigation system.
Habitat Creations was founded in 2007 and sells plants from its Yarragon and Moe nurseries. The company also offers tree planting, environmental and conservation land management, and other services throughout Victoria.
This project is a part of the Labor Government's record $45 billion investment since 2014 in projects and programs that support regional and rural Victoria to be an even better place to live, work, stay, and play.
For more information visit rdv.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney
"This project is all about supporting a local Gippsland business to continue to grow through the expansion of its nurseries in Yarragon and Moe."
"Habitat Creations will now have the space and infrastructure needed to expand their operations, supporting local jobs and boosting productivity."
As stated by Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
"These nursery expansions in Yarragon and Moe will significantly boost local employment and economic growth, showcasing the vital impact of our investments across Gippsland."
