Major expansion of Mortlock’s hydroponic cherry tomato facility announced

1844
Image credit: flickr user: Lufa Farms

Deputy Premier and Leader of The Nationals Peter Ryan joined The Nationals candidate for Ripon Scott Turner at Carisbrook in announcing the Coalition Government’s $175,000 investment in the $2.2 million expansion of Mortlock Hydroponics’ hydroponic cherry tomato facility, which is expected to be completed by mid-2015.

Image credit: flickr user: Lufa Farms
Image credit: flickr user: Lufa Farms

According to the media release by the Premier of Victoria, the expansion will create 25 new local jobs and inject around $1 million of additional wages and salaries into the local economy.

Mr Ryan said the expansion would double the size of the current greenhouse to 30,000 square meters and would include the installation of irrigation, heating, fogging systems and shade screens, as well as a new tomato packaging and storage arena.

“This investment is great show of strength for Mortlock Hydroponics which has been growing hydroponic tomatoes in the region since 1999. Doubling the size of the greenhouse will double production of high quality local tomatoes, ensuring more of this great Carisbrook product is on kitchen tables right across Australia and eventually the world,” Mr Ryan said.

“Mortlock Hydroponics Director Shane Mortlock and his team should be proud of the work they have done so far, and I am proud to be here today alongside Shane and the team to announce this exciting expansion. Companies like Mortlock are the drivers of growth in our regional communities, with the work to be undertaken coming as a real shot-in-the-arm for this region.”

Adertisement

Mr Tuner said the expansion of the packing shed would enable Mortlock to grow its export potential and produce new varieties of tomatoes for Australia’s shops and supermarkets.

“One of the new varieties which could be grown is similar to the Tasty Tom, which is individually packed and marketed as a healthy snack for school lunches in the Netherlands. There is great potential for this style of tomato to be grown here locally and sold right across the country,” Mr Turner said.

“With the right promotion there is even the chance that these varieties may find their way into our kids’ school lunch boxes as a healthy and tasty alternative to prepackaged snack foods. I congratulate Shane and the team for their great work here at Carisbrook – they are truly a great local success story.”

Ms Staley passed on her support and said the $175,000 assistance was the second such investment from the Coalition Government to support the growth of this great local food producer.

“In 2013, the Coalition Government invested $250,000 to enable Mortlock Hydroponics to build the $4.1 million, 15,000 square metre facility, which created 20 new jobs. The company has done well to expand on this initial investment and continue its rapid and strong growth,” Ms Staley said.

“Investment such as that which is being undertaken by Mortlock delivers greater economies of scale and improved productivity which means cheaper and more accessible fresh food products for consumers.”