State funding supports better future flow for Ipswich water engineers

Ipswich manufacturer Australian Water Engineers will transform their facility and employ six new workers after securing $106,820 from the Palaszczuk Government.

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the $46 million Made in Queensland (MiQ) grants program gave local small businesses like AWE the boost they needed to thrive.

“Australian Water Engineers will use their MiQ funding to introduce state-of-the-art thread rolling manufacturing equipment to Queensland,” Ms Miller said.

“This new equipment will bolster the company’s processing capabilities, allowing it to onshore the manufacturing of high-quality flow control equipment for the water and wastewater industries, rather than that work going overseas.

“Best of all, six new jobs will be created off the back of this MiQ investment, while existing staff will have the opportunity to learn new skills.

“This is great news for manufacturing in our city and our state, and I thank AWE for supporting local employment.”

Australian Water Engineers Managing Director Mark La Forest said the MiQ funding will allow the company to maintain its position as a leading innovator and manufacturer of flow control equipment.

“It also means we can execute and realise our growth strategy, notably employing a number of high-skilled workers to join our growing advanced manufacturing team,” Mr La Forest said.

Minister for Manufacturing Cameron Dick said MiQ is helping local manufacturers expand, upskill and employ.

“Since 2017 the Palaszczuk Government has supported around 75 projects across Queensland through MiQ,” Mr Dick said.

“The grants, which are matched by the manufacturers, will help create more than 930 new jobs over the next five years and are expected to generate approximately $92 million in private sector investment.”

Shortlisted applicants for MiQ Round 3 will be invited to submit detailed applications in November.

MiQ complements the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan. To learn more visit the Made in Queensland webpage.

ENDS

Media contact: Lesley Major 0419 288 284