Site works have begun on a medicinal cannabis facility delivering job opportunities for local trade contractors.
Cannaponics Limited is building a new commercial cultivation, extraction, processing and distribution facility to compete in the rapidly growing medicinal cannabis industry.
The McGowan Government has allocated $2 million from the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund to support the project.
The earthworks contract has been awarded to local Collie business T & R Contracting, partnering with Donnybrook Civil Earthmoving Contractors.
The building contract has been awarded to WA company Ballpoint Construction Group, with Cannaponics encouraging as much local employment as possible.
Cannaponics' 160-acre property near Collie will become home to a 3,600sqm greenhouse and a 2,000sqm manufacture facility.
The Cannaponics project will create approximately 50 jobs during the 12 months of construction.
The project is expected to become a multi-million dollar enterprise, with flow-on effects to benefit Collie's economy.
Future stages of the project are planned to increase production and create more local jobs.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The medicinal cannabis industry is rapidly growing and Western Australia is well placed to compete in that industry.
"Stage one of the Cannaponics project is expected to generate 50 jobs during construction, and our focus on local content has ensured a local Collie business has been awarded the first contract.
"The Collie Futures Fund is continuing to attract new and innovative industries to the region, driving local jobs and supporting the town's transition."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:
"It's a very exciting day for Cannaponics Limited who have reached an important milestone of this project.
"Cannaponics is establishing itself as a new industry in Collie which will create long-term local jobs.
"It is also very pleasing to see their commitment to using local contractors for the construction phase of the project."
