Mayor Patricia White has welcomed a $5.7 million investment from the NSW Government and four local businesses to boost the local oyster, kelp and seafood sector.
The investment in four Shoalhaven and South Coast businesses aims to boost production and productivity, enhance sustainability and create more jobs and economic growth.
The Mayor thanked Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty for funding programs that deliver tangible benefits to the local community.
“This significant investment is a huge win for the Shoalhaven and the broader South Coast,” Cr White said.
“Our aquaculture industry is a cornerstone of the local economy, supporting jobs, innovation and sustainable food production across our coastal communities,” she said.
“I thank the State Government for helping local businesses grow, create jobs and lift production across the region.”
The Shoalhaven and South Coast will see an investment of $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. Based in Huskisson, 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.
- $1.48 million – On-Country Value Creation Through Sustainable Sea Urchin Fisheries. Based in Narooma, Joonga Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation will 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.
- $166,612 – Improving Oyster Spat Survival and Nursery Productivity through Modernised Handling Equipment. Based in Greenwell Point, Goodnight Oysters will install new equipment that handles young oysters more gently, helping more of them survive and grow to full size, increasing yield.
- $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 funding boost is part of a broader program supporting 31 aquaculture businesses across NSW, from Tweed Heads to Eden. Further local details can be found on the NSW Government website.
