Vol. 20 18 No. No. 16 27 Vol.
FREE FREE PUBLICATION PUBLICATION
Wednesday, October January 13, Wednesday, 18, 2016 2017
GARDEN DELIGHT: Angela and Terry Walsh were among the many patrons who made the most of idyllic spring conditions to visit the 30th Horsham Spring Garden Festival at Horsham Botanic Gardens. Festival spokeswoman Sonia Matthews said the two-day event, which featured television gardening presenter Melissa King as special guest, was a great success, with most exhibitors attracting interest or business. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Strong pulse push T
BY DEAN LAWSON
he Wimmera might be a step closer to becoming the home of a multi million-dollar proteinpowder processing plant with news that a major company is considering the proposal.
Wimmera Development Association executive director Ralph Kenyon said details were confidential but confirmed discussions between relevant parties had progressed. “All we can really say at this stage
is that we have a company exploring the opportunities and potential for a protein-powder manufacturing project within the Wimmera,” he said. “And also, that the explorations to date are providing positive feedback and the company involved has a clear understanding of the Wimmera and its produce. “We have provided an update to Wimmera Development Association’s board, which has responded enthusiastically. “That is all we can so far confirm.”
IN THIS ISSUE
The association, which represents a cluster of Wimmera and southern Mallee councils, has been on the hunt for an investor or investors since announcing a business case for the concept in 2015. The project cost outlined in the business case, the result of four years of research and planning, was estimated to be between $20-million and $30-million. The original business case, developed by the association and Wimmera Grains Cluster in response to interna-
tional and consumer demand for protein powder, was based on extracting protein from downgraded pulse crops in the region. The original proposal involved establishing a factory at Burnt Creek on the outskirts of Horsham. Mr Kenyon said confidentiality meant he could not reveal details involving a possible home for the development should it go ahead. “What I can say is that this is the type of project that could help add significant value to our already strong
agriculture sector,” he said. “It would capitalise on our strengths established through production of raw products by exploring the next stage of opportunities in product development.” Horsham, while having industrial land at Burnt Creek, also has the benefit of its Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal at Dooen where hay exporter Johnson Asahi is establishing new Wimmera headquarters. Continued page 3
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