Howlong Industrial Precinct receives funding

Published on 03 August 2017

The Howlong community will receive a boost following news that the Howlong Industrial & Export Precinct (HIEP) project has won funding through the Coalition Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, MP for Farrer, Sussan Ley announced today.

HIEP is a $15.7 million project, led by Federation Council and partnering with the Staughton Group, Killen Trucking and VK Logic Engineering. Ms Ley said that this project would receive $6,983,325 through the Coalition's Building Better Regions Fund, making the project a reality.

“Key to the importance and success of this project under the Building Better Regions Fund is the enormous boost to local employment opportunities this creates for a small town, traditionally reliant on jobs from larger local centres, such as Albury,” Ms Ley said.

Ms Ley said that the Building Better Regions Fund received more than 500 applications nationally, and that the application from Federation Council was one of approximately 100 which were approved.

“The community has fought long and hard for this project and it's so great to see it delivered,” Ms Ley said.

Ms Ley also congratulated Federation Council and the three key project partners, said that she looks forward to working with them to deliver benefits to the community of Howlong and the wider community.

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said she created the Building Better Regions Fund to help build strong communities for decades to come.

"I aim to help build the kinds of regional communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to, and projects like this one do exactly that," Minister Nash said.

“After a competitive merit-based selection process, there are always those who were not successful and are naturally disappointed. We know this and we've got dedicated staff in the Department of Industry to give tailored feedback to each unsuccessful applicant to help improve those applications for next time."

Minister Nash said she expected to open another round of BBRF before the end of the year.

Federation Council Administrator Mike Eden said the funding announcement was a dream come true for all involved in the projects application process.

“The Federal government’s announcement today is incredibly exciting for Federation Council communities, and specifically the Howlong community,” Mr Eden said.

“This project will have a historic economic development benefit to the region, as well as increase business activities and a surplus of employment opportunities for Howlong and surrounds.

“We are extremely grateful for the funding and very excited to see this project come to fruition.”

Federation Council General Manager Chris Gillard congratulated all parties involved in the application process.

“Council staff and Administrator Mike Eden, together with consortium partners and our state and federal member worked extremely hard on this project's funding application and the successful outcome is a credit to all involved,” Mr Gillard said.

“Today’s funding announcement is a fine example of just how much can be achieved when council and communities work together.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Federal Government for supporting our vision for building a stronger region through sustainable economic development planning.”

Newly re-branded Staughton Group (comprising of Cool Off, Dried & True and Vets All Natural) Managing Director Edward Staughton highlighted the fantastic opportunities this grant will make possible for the consortium members and broader community.

“It’s an extremely exciting opportunity to be a party to this project, which will allow us to invest alongside the grant to continue to expand our export opportunities into the pet food sector, create new jobs and develop a world leading facility," Mr Staughton said.

"Through building our new structures, we will be able to promote premium Australian meat proteins to the world, and reinforce Australia’s reputation as a supplier of some of the best products available on the global stage.”

Minister Nash will announce the successful applicants for funding under the BBRF’s Community Investments Stream – for projects designed to support a range of local capability-building activities – in the coming months.

More information about the Building Better Regions Fund is available at: www.business.gov.au/bbrf