New $4.6 million value-adding grain processing plant for Dublin

More than $170 million worth of projects in regional South Australia will get off the ground creating more than 1,500 jobs, thanks to $25 million from this year’s rounds of the Marshall Liberal Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

The latest $13 million funding round announced today will unlock more than $100 million of investment in seven projects across South Australia including a new $4.6 million value-adding grain processing facility at Dublin which will create more than 30 jobs.

This follows a $1 million investment announced in the last round of the Regional Growth Fund in September for SABOR to build an enhanced biosecurity secure facility at Clare.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said these projects would not only directly boost local communities but would have more wide-ranging benefits for the state.

“2020 has been a tough year for South Australians and our regions have been hit particularly hard firstly with drought, then bushfires and now the coronavirus pandemic,” said Minister Basham.

“Regional South Australia will be critical to our economic recovery and the Marshall Liberal Government is building what matters to back businesses to create jobs.

“The $25 million from our Regional Growth Fund will unlock more than $170 million of investment in South Australia’s economy – creating more than 1,500 jobs across the state.

“This crucial investment in shovel-ready projects will kick-start a range of strategic initiatives, which in turn will provide vital economic growth in the wake of the challenges posed by 2020.

“These companies, and the others we are working in partnership with, are building a future in their industries, in their communities and for the state.”

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis said the Marshall Liberal Government understands the importance of regional South Australia to the prosperity of our state.

“Our most recent rounds of the Regional Growth Fund are unlocking $5.5 million of investment in the Mid North,” Mr Ellis said.

“The projects include a high-tech cleaning, splitting, sizing and bagging plant for value-adding to pulses at Dublin and an expanded agricultural facility at Clare – creating more than 100 jobs across the region.”

In the State Budget 2020-21 this special once-off Regional Growth Fund Strategic Business Round in 2020 was boosted with an additional $10 million.

The State Government has committed $160 million over 10 years through the Regional Growth Fund to support regional South Australia as part of the Recharging Our Regions policy.

Applicants to the Regional Growth Fund were eligible to seek grants from $50,000 up to $2 million, with projects given preference if they can demonstrate a greater private-to-government funding ratio and demonstrable strong economic outcomes.

For more information, visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/regionalgrowthfund