New Tablelands dairy facility whipping up the Tropical North jobs market

Mungalli Creek Dairy on the Atherton Tablelands will be employing more locals after opening its new $3 million processing plant, supported by the Palaszczuk Government’s $175 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the recently completed facility near Millaa Millaa, south-west of Cairns, will create around 24 new jobs, cementing Mungalli Creek Dairy’s position as the largest employer in the rural community.

“This new $3 million facility will allow the business to produce and process more milk, yoghurt and cheese, meaning more jobs for the Tropical North,” Mr Healy said.

“The company has also invested a further $2.7 million to purchase additional farmland that they’ll transition to biodynamics to increase their milk supply.”

“Our region has some of the best farming land in the country, and the Mungalli Creek team are maximising those nutrients to make amazing products for the public.

“We want more people to be buying and eating Queensland, and through initiatives like the Jobs and Regional Growth Fund our government is making sure that happens.”

Minister for State Development and Manufacturing Cameron Dick said the 24 new jobs created will be across the business, including farming, processing, maintenance, management, accounting and sales.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to supporting future-focused businesses across our state as they look to grow and thrive,” Mr Dick said.

“Projects like Mungalli Creek Dairy’s new processing plant unlock valuable opportunities in our regions, creating stronger and more diversified local economies, which in turn delivers more jobs to regional Queensland.”

Mungalli Creek Dairy is Queensland’s only paddock-to-plate biodynamic dairy, using an enhanced form of organic and regenerative farming that requires no fertilisers, pesticides or antibiotics to maintain the quality of their land.

The dairy farm was established in 2000 and is the largest employer in Millaa Millaa, with more than 60 staff helping to process almost four million litres of milk per year.

Mungalli Creek Dairy CEO Robert Watson said the new facility’s modern and efficient equipment will increase productivity and allow the business to grow market share and become export compliant.

“I hope the expansion and modernisation of our processing facility gives confidence to other businesses in the region and will encourage them to innovate and respond to opportunities in increasingly diverse consumer tastes,” Mr Watson said.

Learn more about the Palaszczuk Government’s Jobs and Regional Growth Fund.

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Media contact: Ben Doyle 0400 775 561