Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
Today's official opening of the $67 million BioMar aqua feed mill at Wesley Vale represents a red letter day for the agricultural industry in Tasmania and a huge jobs and economic boost for the state's North-West.
This facility will produce of up to 110,000 tonnes of commercial fish farming feed a year for domestic and international markets as well as creating 55 full time jobs locally.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has been a strong supporter of this project from the outset with the Office of the Coordinator-General taking the lead to secure this world-class facility.
There has never been a more important time to generate an ongoing economic stimulus into the local economy than as we look to rebuild a stronger Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Government supported this project with a $2.3 million assistance package, demonstrating our commitment to jobs, the North-West region.
This operation will help build on our already world-class seafood industry and further cement Tasmania's credentials in supplying aquaculture products to markets around the world.
BioMar is also actively working with Tasmanian producers to source ingredients, which is expected to provide further indirect jobs.
Importantly, in remediating and redeveloping the old panel mill site at Wesley Vale, BioMar has already engaged some 250 contractors, sub-contractors and workers to transform the site into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Congratulations to BioMar on the completion of this exciting project which aligns with our plan to grow the value of agricultural production to $10 billion by 2050 and will help rebuild the Tasmanian economy.
