FAR NORTH QLD ECO-BANANAS BACK ON TRACK THANKS TO GRANT
Published Friday, 13 April, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Johnstone Shire’s eco banana industry has bounced back after Cyclone Larry with a new high-tech project destined to attract a strong market share for the region’s distinctive wax tipped bananas.
Minister for State Development John Mickel today announced a $150,000 Queensland Industry Development Scheme grant to the Pacific Coast Eco Bananas consortium to develop what is believed to be the world’s first banana packing system.
“With a fully computerised and automated system the group hopes to attract at least 10% market share within three years,” Mr Mickel said.
“It’s certainly the direction local growers need to take in terms of creating new niche markets both here and overseas and guaranteeing the sustainability of the industry.”
Mr Mickel said the project would help address the acute labour shortages being experienced in the industry as a result of Cyclone Larry.
“It will take the pressure off local growers who in recent times have been trying to do everything – and it offers new challenges for the current workforce as it develops the skills to use and manage the technology,” he said.
Mr Mickel said the funding would enable the consortium to build a working prototype of the processing system at its centrally located, purpose-built facility in Innisfail.
“The prototype will automate a significant portion of the sorting and processing stage, enabling a more efficient operation and ultimately a better quality product on the market,” he said.
“It will involve the computerised identification, sorting and recording of fruit as well as the automated rejection of unsuitable product, wax dipping, placement of fruit into packaging and the folding and gluing of packaging.”
The Pacific East Coast Bananas consortium consists of five local growers, led by Dianne and Frank Sciacca of Pacific Coast Produce who pioneered the unique wax tipped eco-banana concept of producing fruit grown under environmentally-friendly conditions some seven years ago.
“We hope the move to this technology will attract more growers,’ Mrs Sciacca said.
“We’re building a very strong unique brand for the region’s banana crop and within the market today our bananas are standing out not just because of their coloured tips but also because of their unique sweet flavour.
Pacific Coast Produce has previously been assisted by the State Government with a Regional Business Development Scheme grant of almost $23,000 in 2005.
Mr Mickel said 47 companies in the region had received more than $1 Million in industry development grants since 1998.
Company Contact: Dianne Sciacca, Pacific Coast Produce, (07) 4064 2452
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
13 April, 2007
Minister for State Development John Mickel today announced a $150,000 Queensland Industry Development Scheme grant to the Pacific Coast Eco Bananas consortium to develop what is believed to be the world’s first banana packing system.
“With a fully computerised and automated system the group hopes to attract at least 10% market share within three years,” Mr Mickel said.
“It’s certainly the direction local growers need to take in terms of creating new niche markets both here and overseas and guaranteeing the sustainability of the industry.”
Mr Mickel said the project would help address the acute labour shortages being experienced in the industry as a result of Cyclone Larry.
“It will take the pressure off local growers who in recent times have been trying to do everything – and it offers new challenges for the current workforce as it develops the skills to use and manage the technology,” he said.
Mr Mickel said the funding would enable the consortium to build a working prototype of the processing system at its centrally located, purpose-built facility in Innisfail.
“The prototype will automate a significant portion of the sorting and processing stage, enabling a more efficient operation and ultimately a better quality product on the market,” he said.
“It will involve the computerised identification, sorting and recording of fruit as well as the automated rejection of unsuitable product, wax dipping, placement of fruit into packaging and the folding and gluing of packaging.”
The Pacific East Coast Bananas consortium consists of five local growers, led by Dianne and Frank Sciacca of Pacific Coast Produce who pioneered the unique wax tipped eco-banana concept of producing fruit grown under environmentally-friendly conditions some seven years ago.
“We hope the move to this technology will attract more growers,’ Mrs Sciacca said.
“We’re building a very strong unique brand for the region’s banana crop and within the market today our bananas are standing out not just because of their coloured tips but also because of their unique sweet flavour.
Pacific Coast Produce has previously been assisted by the State Government with a Regional Business Development Scheme grant of almost $23,000 in 2005.
Mr Mickel said 47 companies in the region had received more than $1 Million in industry development grants since 1998.
Company Contact: Dianne Sciacca, Pacific Coast Produce, (07) 4064 2452
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
13 April, 2007