Press Release by Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation Ed Husic and local MP Emma McBride.

An Albanese Labor Government will boost manufacturing jobs on the north end of the Central Coast by funding a Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub.

The Coast has a strong history of manufacturing, especially in food and beverage, but currently has no pilot facilities for product development.

As part of this commitment, Labor will invest $17.14 million to create a Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub on the Coast, which will be backed up by $37.5 million from industry.

It will be managed by not-for-profit manufacturing network, Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC).

This will create 285 jobs, made up of 85 during construction and another 200 ongoing jobs in food product manufacturing.

This project has the full support of CCIC and their partners TrendPac, Regional Development Australia, and the University of Newcastle.

Local food manufacturers Sanitarium, Mars Food, Sara Lee, and Agrana are set to come on board as collaborators.

The Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub is strategically located near a unique mix of local and national food and beverage manufacturers and smaller artisan food producers.

The Hub will drive economic growth in the region and help the Coast expand its unique food and beverage market.

This investment is urgently needed to boost employment and create local jobs, given one in four people on the Coast commute outside the region for work every day.

With the Coast expected to grow its population by another 75,500 people by 2036, it is vital we create more jobs in the region to keep up with that growth.

Only a future Labor government will boost manufacturing jobs on the Coast, securing Australia’s supply chains and create more secure, well-paid jobs.

The hub will be based at Lisarow and will house a purpose-built facility designed to grow local food manufacturing businesses and attract more manufacturers to the region.

It will support small and medium food producers to scale up their business and create more jobs for the Coast, giving firms access to commercial production facilities.

Under the Coalition, Australia is dead last on manufacturing self-sufficiency. Labor will back local industry and help grow manufacturing jobs through our $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund and Buy Australia Plan.

Attributable to Ed Husic:

“The Coalition has completely neglected to deliver good manufacturing jobs on the Central Coast. There’s huge potential here with industry ready to act yet the Coalition has never done the right thing by the Coast when it comes to manufacturing jobs. Labor is determined to reverse that with this investment. It’s thanks to Emma McBride’s advocacy that Labor will make this commitment today.”

Attributable to Emma McBride:

“The Central Coast has a proud history of food and beverage manufacturing. We produce premium products that are enjoyed here and around the world. The Coast needs proper investment to boost local manufacturing and secure more well-paid jobs for locals for the future.”