Work to start on Tasmania feed plant
FEED company BioMar’s proposed new facility in Tasmania has won the final seal of approval from the local authority and the 14-month construction phase can begin.
The company announced plans last December to develop the AUS $56 million aquaculture feed production plant in response to the growth of the sector in Australia.
The factory at Wesley Vale, near Devonport, will produce around 110,000 tonnes of aqua feed per year, creating 55 ongoing jobs.
The site once housed a particle board man- ufacturing mill and, with the redundant facilities dismantled, the area is now ready for work to start on the new production building.
BioMar Australia was due to hold an open day at the new site with a traditional barbecue, as part of its efforts to keep the local community informed and involved.
BioMar Australia technical customer account manager Alasdair Bradley said he was delighted to receive the Latrobe Council’s development application (DA) approval, allowing the project to take the next steps.
‘As part of the DA approval process, the Environment Protection Authority approved the Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan, ensuring BioMar’s production facility meets all required environmental responsibilities and practices,’ he said.
Carlos Diaz, CEO of BioMar Group, said: ‘Now that we have all the final approvals we look forward to getting construction underway.
‘Soon we will be producing locally made, high performance aquaculture feed not only for the Australian market but for New Zealand and, in the near future, other export markets.’