- Published:
- Friday 18 August 2017
The world's largest exporter of dairy products officially opened its rebuilt Stanhope Facility today thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford officially opened Fonterra’s rebuilt and expanded facility, which has helped retain 120 jobs and create an additional 30 jobs.
With support from the Labor Government, Fonterra is supporting regional jobs in Stanhope and across the dairy supply chain.
Throughout the 18 month building and commissioning phase of the project, over 200 contractors worked to build the new plant.
The project included:
- demolition and rebuilding of the fire damaged hard cheese room
- installing modern processing equipment to increase production of a range of cheeses
- building and installing a modern mozzarella manufacturing facility
- reinstating whey production and processing
- delivering production to Fonterra’s Darnum facility, adding value to nutritional products.
In December 2014, the existing cheese production facility at Stanhope was destroyed by a major fire at the plant.
The new facility has increased cheese production by 50 per cent each year on the previous plant, and will make hard cheeses such as cheddar and mozzarella for the domestic and export markets.
Fonterra is the leader in Australia’s $2 billion consumer cheese category. It is also a market leader in foodservice – providing dairy solutions to chefs across the country – and one of Australia’s top dairy ingredients exporters.
Nearly three-quarters of the 2 billion litres of milk processed by Fonterra each year is supplied by 1000 Victorian farms.
The Labor Government is supporting projects like Fonterra’s through the $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which focusses on building critical infrastructure, creating jobs, investing in communities and supporting new and emerging industries.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“We’ve worked closely with Fonterra Australia to facilitate the investment in rebuilding, modernising and expanding their Stanhope facility.”
“Fonterra will be making cheese right here in Stanhope, in the heart of Victoria’s dairy country, and sending it around Australia and to the world.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“This investment secures the future of Fonterra’s Stanhope facility, supporting local jobs and ensuring Northern Victorian farmers have a home for their milk.”