AN ambitious plan to build a milk processing plant at Cohuna has gained significant Federal Government funding support.
The government is backing the vision and capability of the plant by allocating a grant of $634,000 towards the planning, environmental and commercial costs of the development.
The plant is proposed for a site in the industrial estate on Cohuna’s eastern outskirts.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack MP, the Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, John McVeigh and Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Senator Bridget McKenzie joined the Member for Murray, Damian Drum as they announced the successful grant recipients for the Goulburn Valley.
Cohuna-based No Bull Milk Processing was given special permission to apply to the Regional Jobs and Investment Package program, even though it was 16 kilometres outside of the assigned boundary.
Investor John Mawson said that the project involves attracting milk from farmers across a broad
regional network including the Goulburn Valley.
“It’s a big task to secure 300 million litres per annum, but it is achievable when we engage with farmers in
Gannawarra, Swan Hill, Campaspe, and west of Shepparton,” he said.
Domestic and international enterprises have expressed interest in building and operating the proposed Cohuna plant and No Bull Milk Processing have been pleased with the progress so far.
Fellow investor, Jason Wright said that this grant application focused on developing jobs
and growth.
“It is also a message from the Commonwealth that shows the strength of our proposal,” he said.
Both Dr Wright and Mr Mawson thanked all the MPs and departmental people who had
recognised the potential of the No Bull proposal and supported it.
“A fair hearing from former Minister [for Industry, Innovation and Science], Arthur Sinodinos was greatly appreciated, as was the engagement shown by our State MP, Peter Walsh and neighbouring Federal representatives, Damian Drum and Bridgette MacKenzie,” Dr Wright said.
