The Palaszczuk Government has delivered on another election commitment today with the opening of the Gold Coast Manufacturing Hub that will give the local industry an opportunity to connect, upskill and innovate.
Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the new Gold Coast Hub would provide local businesses with access to development programs and specialised training.
"The Palaszczuk Government has allocated $4.5 million to create a Gold Coast hub as we deliver Queensland's economic plan to recover from the global COVID-19 pandemic," Ms Scanlon said.
"The Gold Coast hub, located in Nerang, is open and ready to service manufacturers in the areas from Beenleigh to the New South Wales border, and west to the Gold Coast Hinterland.
"As well as the targeted support and training, the hub will also deliver a grants program for local manufacturers focusing on the manufacture of marine vehicles and transport equipment, food processing and technology, and metal fabrication.
"Local manufacturers such as Geofabrics, which received a $494,200 grant through the Palaszczuk Government's Made in Queensland program to upgrade its geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) line, can now access local support to continue their commitment to innovation and creating high-skill jobs.
"Geofabrics is Australia's largest manufacturer of geosynthetic products and was recognised in the top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Australia in 2020.
"Since receiving the grant to help enhance its GCL production line, Geofabrics has grown its business – including launching a new SORBSEAL product."
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said the Gold Coast Manufacturing Hub was part of a $38.5 million investment into a statewide network of hubs that provided expert advice and support.
"We knew a hub on the Gold Coast was important to support the thriving local manufacturing industry," Mr Butcher said.
"The Gold Coast is already home to many first-class manufacturers including PT Automaton, Patterson Glass, PWR Performance Products, Mastercut Technologies, Knotwood Pty Ltd, King Springworks and Urban Turf Solutions, and we want to see more have the opportunity to grow and create jobs.
"We have already opened hubs in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and Gladstone, and now here on the Gold Coast, and will soon open another in Mackay.
"This is because the Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring that manufacturing industry participants right across Queensland have what they need to develop next-generation expertise for the long-term.
"We're continuing to invest to help our regional manufacturers thrive because they create good, long-term local jobs and significantly contribute to the sustainable growth of our regional economies."
