The Albanese Government is supporting a major new investment in the rice industry through a $14.5 million co-contribution towards SunRice's new manufacturing infrastructure in Leeton that will support over 200 direct and indirect jobs.
The project will be delivered through the Albanese Government's Sustainable Communities Program, which is providing a record investment of over $300 million to support communities throughout the delivery of the Murray−Darling Basin Plan.
SunRice will match the government's funding and establish a new high-quality, future-ready rice cake manufacturing facility in Leeton.
The project will enhance the long-term resilience of the Riverina rice industry through value-adding manufacturing capability that supports improved returns to growers.
More than 40 projects supporting jobs and sustainable economies have already been announced in the Basin through the Sustainable Communities Program.
This announcement provides additional funding above the $160 million already allocated for projects in NSW.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt said the Sustainable Communities Program was central to the Australian Government's commitment to supporting communities across the Basin.
"You can't have sustainable Basin communities without a sustainable environment," Minister Watt said.
"And with our climate getting hotter and drier, it's more important than ever that we take steps now to ensure the future of the Murray-Darling system.
"The latest independent evaluation shows that our rivers and wetlands are better off thanks to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan - all while agricultural production in the region has continued to grow.
"However, we also know water recovery can have impacts and we aren't going to leave those communities without support.
"That's why the Albanese Labor Government is making a record investment of more than $300 million to support Basin communities adjust for the future."
New South Wales Senator Deborah O'Neill said the funding would be great news for local workers in the rice industry.
"The Albanese Labor Government will always back workers no matter where they live in Australia.
"This funding will support more than 200 jobs in the Riverina which is a great boost for hundreds of families across the region."
Chair of SunRice Group, John Bradford, welcomed this support from the Federal Government.
"This will help strengthen value-added food manufacturing in Leeton and create more opportunities from the rice grown by Australian growers.
"Today's announcement is an important step, but the long-term success of our industry also depends on growers having the conditions to keep producing rice."
The New South Wales State Secretary of the United Workers Union, Mel Gatfield said this investment is a win for regional workers.
"Our members have spent months fighting for a different future, one where government, industry and workers work together to protect production, secure good regional jobs and strengthen Australia's food security.
"We thank the Federal and NSW Governments for listening to workers and backing the future of the Riverina rice industry.
"This investment shows that when workers organise and governments are prepared to listen and act, we can protect important regional industries and build a stronger future for the communities that rely on them.
"There is more work to do, but today workers across the Riverina can have greater confidence that their industry, their jobs and their communities have a future."
