$380,000 To Create 22 Local Jobs

Three local businesses are set to upgrade their facilities, purchase new equipment and employ more people, thanks to funding from the NSW Government’s Regional Job Creation Fund.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said Performance Engineering Group at Berkeley Vale, Broken Bay Pearl Farm at Mooney Mooney and Spiralz Fermented Foods at Tuggerah would benefit.

“By purchasing and installing new equipment, ‘hub pressings’ which are used extensively in Australia’s mining industry will be manufactured for the first time at Performance Engineering Group’s Berkeley Vale facility,” Mr Crouch said.

“This allows the company to reduce its reliance on components currently purchased from China, helping to reduce production lead times and costs while also boosting its competitiveness.

“As part of a $388,000 redevelopment, two new processing and storage facilities will be constructed at the Broken Bay Pearl Farm in response to the global demand for its signature Akoya pearl oyster meat, as well as high domestic tourism interest.

“The NSW Government’s funding contribution to this exciting expansion will also help to purchase a self-propelled aluminium vessel which serves as a floating work platform for all pearl farming activities, including grading, seeding and harvesting.

“The Tuggerah Spiralz Fermented Foods factory is already a niché manufacturer of premium fermented vegetables and beverages, and the planned expansion will enable the company to increase output and expand product lines to include probiotic beverages and shots of its sauerkraut and kimchi range.

“This project is an Australian first and includes the purchase of a new bottling line and an innovative semi-automatic packing and capping machine, making production more efficient while also improving each product’s quality and shelf life.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the $100 million Regional Job Creation Fund will create at least 5,000 new direct jobs by helping businesses expand their production lines and provide incentives for relocation.

“Regional NSW is the engine room of our State and providing more support to companies to expand their operations and become more competitive will help to stimulate the regional economy, boost livelihoods and provide local employment,” Mr Barilaro said.

To date, businesses in the Central Coast region have received over $1.3 million from the NSW Government’s Regional Job Creation Fund.

Only parts of the State designated as regional areas by the NSW Government, which includes the Central Coast but excludes Newcastle and Wollongong, are eligible for this funding.

For more information, go to: www.investregional.nsw.gov.au/investment-support/regional-job-creation-fund.