Manufacturers in Rockhampton are reaping the rewards of Queensland Government initiatives, with more than $4 million awarded in grants to 12 local businesses, which have supported or created more than 100 jobs.
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher released the numbers on day one of Australian Manufacturing Week, highlighting that the Rockhampton Manufacturing Hub has contributed significantly to the local economy.
“Rockhampton Manufacturing Hub staff have prioritised connecting with local businesses in the region, helping guide and support their teams to adopt advanced manufacturing technology and practices, and connect with peers in the local area to foster growth and develop a collaborative regional network.
“Manufacturing already contributes $20 billion a year, to the state’s economy and we want to see that build even further,” Mr Butcher said.
Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke said thanks to grants from the Queensland Government, the manufacturing industry in the region was going from strength to strength.
“The Manufacturing Hub and Made in Queensland Grants are giving our amazing local manufacturers the opportunity to implement new equipment and technologies and expand into bigger markets.”
Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said the permanent funding announced to the Queensland Manufacturing Hubs has given locals confidence in the industry.
“The hub staff in Rockhampton are committed to helping local manufacturers create jobs, grow the local economy, build a bigger customer base and develop cutting edge processes and efficiencies.
“These regional manufacturing hubs across the state are helping local manufacturing businesses adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and techniques and I’m excited to see more businesses on the world stage, thanks to these hubs,” Ms Lauga said.
Rockhampton Manufacturing Hub Skills and Training Officer Mick Elliott said the past three years since the Hub launched had been a busy time getting to understand what each local manufacturer needed and how best to meet those needs.
“We are supporting manufacturers to modernise, guiding them using our own experience and expertise and connecting them with other business leaders as well as possible funding help,” he said.
“The success so far is just the beginning. Bringing more manufacturing work to the region is helping to grow the sector and this is all part of really positioning Queensland as the home of manufacturing in Australia.”
Demonstrating the Palaszczuk Government’s strong commitment to manufacturing, the Queensland Manufacturing Hubs received permanent funding, to the tune of $17 million, so they can continue to support regional manufacturers to grow their businesses and create local jobs.
“The Hubs are bringing together stakeholders to collaborate and grow regional manufacturing,” Mr Butcher said.
“Building local businesses, strengthening their capacity and capability helps local economies by delivering long-term, local jobs,” Mr Butcher said.
More than $54 million has been awarded through Queensland Manufacturing Hub and Made in Queensland Grants, creating or supporting more than 5,500 jobs.
“Our government is focused on delivering critical support to regional manufacturers, after the COVID-19 pandemic, to make sure they have the tools they need to grow and thrive,” Mr Butcher said.
“Australian companies are increasingly looking to local manufacturers to step up and fill gaps exposed in supply chains, so it’s fantastic to see these manufacturing businesses in regional Queensland build and grow, to meet demand.”
