Mayor: Land of opportunity
orsham mayor Robyn Gulline is confident the Wimmera remains a region of opportunity for new industry despite a manufacturer expanding operations interstate instead of in Horsham.
Cr Gulline was quick to declare her position after Australian Plant Proteins, APP, announced it would build a new factory in regional South Australia with support from multi-million-dollar Federal and South Australian government packages.
She said Horsham Rural City Council had supported APP in its formative years and had hoped the expansion would happen at a greenfield site in the municipality.
“We did all we could to make Horsham attractive for APP’S expansion,” Cr Gulline said.
“All indications were that Horsham was set to be the home of APP’S greenfield site. But unfortunately, with our finite local government resources, our pockets were not as deep as the South Australian and federal governments.
“APP still has a strong presence here and will continue to develop operations in Horsham. It plans to increase its local workforce and we look forward to supporting the business where we can.”
APP director Phil Mcfarlane, originally from Brim, echoed fellow co-founder and director Brendan Mckeegan’s comments that the company’s plans to build its Wimmera project remained on track.
“APP’S foundation growth plans still remain in the Wimmera. They are unchanged and we look forward to economic growth they will bring to the region,” he said.
“The Wimmera is always going to be the foundation centre and we look to further enhancing the region’s reputation by maintaining a presence here.
“The Wimmera is the heartland of APP. It’s part of the DNA.”
Mr Mcfarlane confirmed the decision to enter the South Australian deal was all about expansion and strongly refuted suggestions APP had knocked back State Government offers for financial support to stay in Victoria.
“If we did I don’t know about it. But I do clarify that we’re in ongoing discussions with the State Government regarding developments in Horsham and look forward to working together as growth plans take shape,” he said.
“I also acknowledge opportunities that Member for Lowan Emma Kealy and Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh have highlighted are real and we need more strategies to grow value-add businesses in Victoria.
“Ultimately the real benefit down the development chain is jobs.”
Cr Gulline said the Wimmera was primed for business investment, especially with Horsham having a renewable energy supply at its doorstep and links to Adelaide, Melbourne and the state’s ports via road and rail.
“Horsham stands ready to welcome other businesses looking to invest in the regions,” she said.
“We have affordable industrial land that’s available right now, and there is a lot more that will soon hit the market.
“We have a major freight and logistics terminal and an existing agricultural industry, so in many ways there is no better place in regional Victoria to invest in now.”
Cr Gulline said companies interested in establishing or expanding in the Wimmera would receive unparalleled help and support.
“Staff from our investment and growth team can help potential investors obtain government assistance and act as a first port of call for advice on opportunities and potential sites that are ready for business,” she said.
Cr Gulline said Horsham district had the benefit of having three key sites ready for development, including the Wimmera Agricultural and Logistics Hub on the Melbourne-adelaide rail corridor, and the expanding Burnt Creek and Enterprise Estate industrial areas.
She said plans for an alternative truck route around Horsham further boost the efficiency of freight movements in the municipality.
The Federal Government has provided $113-million and the South Australian Government $65-million to develop the protein-powder industry in South Australia.
Australian Plant Proteins, which operates the only commercial-scale protein-powder processing factory of its type in Australia is at the heart of the development.
Australia Plant Proteins’ Horsham plant is the only commercial-scale pulse-protein factory in Australia.
Wimmera Development Association first developed a business case surrounding the use of regionally grown pulses for high-value protein powder about a decade ago.