The Minns Labor Government is continuing to invest in the South Coast's aquaculture industry, today announcing the government together with four local businesses are investing $5.7 million into boosting the Shoalhaven South Coast oyster, kelp and seafood sector.
Today's funding follows a recent announcement of a $14.3 million investment by the Minns Government and 10 aquaculture businesses on the Far South Coast to boost production and productivity, enhance sustainability and create more jobs and economic growth.
The aquaculture sector is a natural fit for NSW's coastal communities and landscape, and the NSW Government is driving new economic opportunities by funding modernisation and productivity gains.
This funding follows the launch of the NSW Aquaculture Vision Statement by the Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty in 2024, in collaboration with the industry to target doubling of the sector's economic output by 2030.
The South Coast will see the Minns Government investing $3.79 million and the grant recipients co-funding $1.9 million, across the following four projects:
$2 million - NSW Marine Biorefinery: GMP Processing Scale-Up for Seaweed Extract Marine Bioproducts
- Venus Shell Systems will expand a seaweed processing facility to produce much larger volumes of high‑value ingredients used in skincare, nutrition and medical products. This will create local jobs, support other marine producers, and turn more seaweed and by‑products into useful goods instead of waste.
$1.48 million - On-Country Value Creation Through Sustainable Sea Urchin Fisheries
- Joonga Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation to purchase new machinery to process sea urchins more efficiently, create new food products from urchins, and turn leftover shells into material that can improve soil. The grant builds on Minns Government support that enabled Joonga to develop feasibility and business plans to ascertain the validity of the business and build a robust and practical business plan.
$166,612 - Improving Oyster Spat Survival and Nursery Productivity through Modernised Handling Equipment
- Goodnight Oysters will install new equipment that handles young oysters more gently, helping more of them survive and grow to full size, increasing yield. The upgrades will improve safety and increase the number of oysters available for other local farmers.
$145,895 - The Lake Conjola and Burrill Lake industry expansion project
- Southern Oyster Culture will obtain a new grading machine and install a new cool room which removes long transport trips and makes oyster handling faster and more efficient. This will support local jobs and increase production in Lake Conjola and Burrill Lake.
With these projects domestic and international customers of NSW seafood will benefit from a reliable, year-round supply of high quality, and carbon reduced food products that taste fantastic.
Further announcements of successful recipients under the NSW Government's Aquaculture Industry Development Program will be made in the coming weeks.
More than $200 million from the NSW Government's Regional Development Trust is currently being delivered through programs and projects that provide strategic and sustainable investment where it is needed to support regional and rural industries, businesses and communities grow.
For more information, go to: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust
Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
"Shoalhaven producers are driving a stronger and more innovative aquaculture sector. This investment will help local businesses grow, create jobs and lift production across the region. We're backing an industry that is modern, sustainable and built for long‑term success.
"This funding program is new to the industry and demonstrates the NSW Government's commitment to growing this coastal industry to support the joint industry and government NSW Aquaculture Vision Statement to grow the aquaculture sector to $300 million by 2030.
"It gives operators the tools they need to boost efficiency and reduce waste. By supporting practical upgrades and new technology, we're helping businesses stay competitive. It's a strong step forward for the future of aquaculture in the Shoalhaven."
State Member for South Coast Liza Cutler MP said:
"The South Coast is a burgeoning area for innovative aquaculture and this investment by the Minns Government will allow four ventures to expand and become more sustainable to deliver jobs and economic growth for our community.
"I look forward to seeing these businesses get moving on this opportunity. Kelp, oysters and sea urchins are an exciting arm of aquaculture with enormous potential, and our Government is backing an attitude of - let's get the South Coast moving."
Director, CEO & Chief Scientist of Venus Shell Operations Dr. Pia Winberg said:
"This grant positions Venus Shell Operations as the missing production and technology between sustainable ocean aquaculture and Australia's biotechnology opportunity, two worlds that have rarely been connected in a practical, scalable way.
"With the Marine Products Biorefinery already proven in technology, we can scale sustainable ocean aquaculture into high-value, regenerative manufacturing, creating new crops, new industries, and a pipeline of benefits for partners across the state.
"It's a major step in delivering the NSW vision for sustainable aquaculture through real infrastructure and real outcomes."
Director of Joonga Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation, Wally Stewart said:
"This project is about caring for Country and creating real opportunities for our people, and reflects strong cultural, environmental and economic aspirations for the community."
"Through the Aquaculture Industry Development Program grant, the project will see more jobs for our people on the South Coast and build a stronger platform for Aboriginal economic development connected to sea country."
"We're bringing together cultural knowledge, modern industry and environmental stewardship, while also creating long‑term economic benefits for our community."
Goodnight Oysters Owner Angela Riepsamen said:
"The funding will enable Goodnight Oysters to install advanced water-based grading and seed handling systems, significantly reducing handling stress and improving juvenile oyster survival rates.
"This investment will increase productivity, reduce manual handling, and support the sustainable scaling of high-quality oyster production on the Shoalhaven River."
Southern Oyster Culture Owner Martin Jackson said:
"This funding will enable us to install a new oyster grading machine and cool room at our Fisherman's Paradise depot.
"Bringing this processing on site will improve efficiency by reducing transport to Eurobodalla and will make oyster handling faster and more cost-effective.
"The project will also support local jobs and help increase oyster production in Lake Conjola and Burril Lake."
