NNNorthern Valley News
Norcia • Regans Ford • Wannamal
Going solar Page 16
38
2014
Gingin British Car Day Page 14-15
JUNE
Bindoon • Bullsbrook • Calingiri • Chittering • Gingin • Muchea • Mooliabeenie • New
Powered by the sun
Powered by the sun Jackie Shervington
The Loose Leaf Lettuce Company doesn’t need much by way of introduction. A Gingin success story, the company now harvests as much as 5 tonnes of lettuce a day. This local business sets a great example within their region in both their professionalism and their innovative approach to manufacturing efficiencies. Owned and run by Maureen and Barry Dobra along with son Kevan it’s a family concern. It has come a long way since its early days when daughters Deanne and Simone, who were one of the first to pioneer the market of loose leaf lettuce, founded the business. In the beginning the girls did everything by hand but when travels sent them off-farm their
Ledge Point
$69,000
father and brother started the journey of mechanising the process. Since then, the Dobras have had a passion for process re-engineering, and their investment in machinery and technology is significant. From the stainless steel washer, conveyor and packing machine – which looks like something out of a Star Wars movie – to the Alltech Hydro-Vac ®cooling system, the machinery is impressive. According to Maureen, “As growers and primary producers we can’t demand higher prices for our products. The markets and the supermarkets are controlling the prices. So you have to make efficiencies wherever you can.” This pursuit of efficiency has recently
Gingin
EOI
taken a new level with two new family members who have joined the business. Son Peter and daughter-in-law Laura, who have IT backgrounds, now work in the business driving research and development as well as seeking new ways of cost efficiency. Daughter Simone has returned, looking at the financial aspects of the business. Their latest investment has been a 100 KW solar system, covering approximately 1200 square metres of their roof. The system was installed by Solargain and according to Paul Hart of Solargain, “The system was designed according to the specific load profile of the business energy consumption. Also the Loose Leaf Lettuce Company was able to claim almost $75,000 from the STC Government
gingin
$725,000
Incentive program, which covered around a quarter of the cost of the system – maximising their return on investment.” They are already enjoying the rewards – their energy bills going from $14,000 per month down to $7,000 in March. With a finance cost of $2,300 per month over 10 years, they are confident they’ve made a good decision. The way Maureen sees it, “I buy a car on HP for 5 years and in 5 years time it is worth half the value. With the Solar panels we expect in 3 – 5 years time I will have paid for it and after that it is making me money.” To find out more about how the Loose Leaf Lettuce company is saving energy see page 16.
Lancelin
$185 -255,000
Ledge Point “Big 4” Caravan park
Brockman Street
16 Edwards Street
Indian ocean views
Permanent onsite van with annexe. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, split system air con. Perfect for holidays or a permanent residence.
Retail Business Opportunity. 90m2 shop in main street of Gingin, includes a commercial cool-room. Expressions of Interest close 30th June 2014 For full details contact Craig Hyne 0448 825 833
Quality Home on Potential Development Site
Beautiful 4x2 brick and tile home on a 9,260m2 site zoned R10 (min 1,000m2) 4 queen bedrooms, generous kitchen, numerous living spaces. Property includes 6-car garage, bore and scheme water.
Only 5 blocks remain in this unique rural development. Located only a few minutes from the beach. All lots are larger than 1 hectare and come complete with scheme water and underground power.
Craig Hyne 0448 825 833
Tom Cabassi 0429 095 864
Natasha Ramage 0402 178 401
Craig Hyne 0448 825 833