The Premier has announced leading seafood producer Tassal is investing in North Queensland which will bring 1000 jobs to the region and a significant boost to the local economy.
Annastacia Palaszczuk told Parliament today the company had purchased a 7,000 hectare beef property just north of Mackay with a view to turning it into a major aquaculture facility.
“Aquaculture is the fastest growing food industry in the world and Tassal’s proposal will help drive my government’s vision to make Queensland the global aquaculture capital,” the Premier said.
“This will project will deliver up to 1000 construction and operational jobs for Mackay and the Whitsundays.
“My government is all about jobs. We’ve created more than 216,000 of them since 2015 in all sectors of the Queensland economy and we’re determined to grow this number even higher.
“We do the hard yards with companies like Tassal to make these investments possible and get on the front foot to facilitate strong, sustainable industries that means jobs for Queenslanders.”
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said this announcement is part of a long-term investment that will represent major growth in our aquaculture industry and a major driver of future employment.
“This investment by Australia’s leading seafood producer underlines our state’s export reputation, leveraging our diverse climate and technology to develop industry to complement the Reef,” Mr Furner said.
“Well over half of the seafood consumed in Queensland is imported. The growing demand for great Queensland seafood means there is more than enough room for a strong, sustainable commercial fishing industry and a strong, growing and sustainable aquaculture industry in our state.”
Minister for State Development and Manufacturing Cameron Dick said the Tassal development is in one of six aquaculture development areas (ADAs) that the Palaszczuk government designated and announced in January this year to promote and encourage this kind of job-creating investment.
“The company plans an immediate $85 million down payment to continue stages three and four of its existing Proserpine site and then develop and expand this new ADA site,” he said.
“The scale of Tassal’s investment means the company will be able to build a significant, highly-skilled and specialized workforce that will form the bedrock of this industry in Queensland.”
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the Tassal development would supercharge the local economy.
“This will be a jobs bonanza for the region,” she said.
“It’ll be fantastic to see these new jobs being advertised and major investment flowing into our beautiful region.
“This is a further source of income for our economy and builds on our reputation as both a tourism and agricultural powerhouse.”
Tassal ASX announcement: https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20190820/pdf/447mpjrny62sy4.pdf
