- New $12.2 million Sustainable Innovative Food Technologies Centre to boost local food and beverage manufacturing in Western Australia
- Cook Government investing in innovation and jobs across WA and the regions
A new state-of-the-art food manufacturing centre, which is set to open in Western Australia, will help boost local food and beverage manufacturing, as well as drive growth in the State's value-add food production.
The Cook Government has invested $12.2 million into the establishment of the Sustainable, Innovative Food Technologies (SIFT) Centre located within the Food Innovation Precinct of WA (FIPWA) in the Peel Business Park at Nambeelup.
In 2021 the State Government made an election commitment to build FIPWA, and the SIFT Centre is the next step of this commitment coming to life.
Funded through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and operated by the Future Food Systems Co-operative Research Centre (RRSCRC) and Murdoch University, the facility is fitted out with the latest in food and beverage manufacturing equipment including a high-pressure processing unit - which is one of only two in the State - used to cold pasteurise foods. The unit will help extend the shelf life of products while preserving natural nutrition and flavour.
The SIFT Centre is open to all WA food and beverage businesses that are seeking a low-risk environment to scale up production by offering common use of manufacturing equipment at a subsidised rate.
Businesses can test, develop, and produce new and improved value-added food products on a commercial scale to determine market demand and source buyers before investing in their own long-term large-scale production and equipment.
To kick start operations at the SIFT Centre, the Cook Government is partnering with the Shire of Murray to provide a $3.8 million Enterprise Support Program.
The program is offering grants of up to $600,000, provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis, to food and beverage businesses to use FIPWA to commercialise a product, undertake collaborative research and development, or utilise manufacturing equipment, or to access other FIPWA space, facilities and services.
More information on the Enterprise Support Program is available at fipwa.com.au/enterprisesupportprogram.
The SIFT Centre will officially open on Friday, 23 February 2024.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"Some iconic food brands have come out of Australia, and the new Sustainable, Innovative Food Technologies (SIFT) Centre offers WA's food and beverage industry an incredible opportunity to develop the next big thing.
"The SIFT Centre will help remove some financial risk for small businesses owners - allowing them to test and refine products at a commercial scale, without having to invest in their own equipment.
"The SIFT Centre is projected to grow the State's local value-added industry, create more than 150 direct jobs, and inject around $100 million into the economy.
"I encourage small business owners looking to expand production to visit FIPWA and investigate the grants on offer."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"More than a third of our State's 1,500food and beverage businesses are based in regional Western Australia, so providing access to innovative manufacturing technology will provide a direct benefit to our regional economies, and create more job opportunities in the regions.
"FIPWA is providing a state-of-the-art hub for WA's food and beverage industries to develop new value-added products, and last year I was able to see the success of some of these projects firsthand.
"This includes Spinifex Brewing Co's canning line which received a $150,000 Regional Economic Development grant in 2021, and is driving an increase in packaged beer sales in domestic and export markets.
"I strongly encourage all interested agri-businesses to access the Enterprise Support Program grants program, which also provides an opportunity to explore new product opportunities and access manufacturing equipment."
As stated by Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke:
"In 2021 the State Government made a promise to support WA's food and beverage sector by establishing the Food Innovation Precinct of WA (FIPWA) in my electorate, and the completion of the SIFT Centre is further proof that we follow through on our commitments.
"These state-of-the-art facilities will not only support local jobs, but could help develop the next big Australian household staple."
