No wool over the eyes as Merino Country Australia look to the future

Shailer Park’s Merino Country Australia will upgrade their equipment and create more local jobs after securing more than $200,000 in funding through the Palaszczuk Government’s successful $46 million Made in Queensland (MIQ) grants program.

Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni, who worked for seven years in the clothing industry before entering parliament, said he was especially proud of the Palaszczuk Government’s support for Merino Country Australia to help expand their manufacturing here in Queensland.

“To flourish in the global marketplace, Australian clothing and textile manufacturers need two things: a commitment to innovation and the backing of their government and community,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The $209,200 grant will see this local business flourish, with the money to be used to invest in machinery to onshore the cleaning and processing of their own locally sourced wool in Queensland.

“This will allow the business to integrate their textile and clothing businesses, making them more productive, reducing operational costs and slashing carbon emissions from transporting raw materials overseas.

“Existing staff will be given specialised training for the new advanced manufacturing machinery, while Merino Country anticipates it will create 33 new jobs over the next five years.

“Merino Country Australia have a proud 25-year history specialising in 100 per cent Australian merino wool products, and the Palaszczuk Government is proud to support them as they enter an exciting new era of manufacturing.”

CEO Kerrie Richards said Merino Country Australia is the only Queensland company to take Queensland wool through to the end garment.

“We will have the potential to process wool locally, meaning we can make garments fully traceable back to the farm, further increasing the quality of our fabric and garments,” Ms Richards 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 have been invited to submit detailed applications.

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