Committee for Greater Shepparton chair Leigh Findlay told a business dinner last week “our $5.5 billion of manufacturing matters to the state and national economy”.
“Our exports that dominate volumes leaving the Port of Melbourne matter,” he said.
“That 32 local industrial customers account for eight per cent of Victoria’s industrial gas use matters.
“We have challenges with inputs including housing, workforce, water and energy, but our economic engine room is food and food manufacturing, and the world will always need to eat.”
Mr Finday was speaking at the first C4GS event this year, held on February 11, which saw NAB senior markets wholesale manager Troy Furlong and SPC Global managing director Robert Iervasi outline their outlooks for 2025.
Among the almost 140 attendees were business and community leaders, members of state and local governments and agencies, and representatives from Australian Gas Infrastructure group and the Port of Melbourne.
C4GS chief executive officer Linda Nieuwenhuizen described the fast and volatile start to 2025 with the C4GS Community Connector Program providing a barometer of activity and supporting more than 200 professionals in the various stages of relocating to the region since Christmas.
“That’s 200 professionals needing support with schools, housing and social connections in our region — but it’s also more than $50 million into our local economy every year and allows us to deliver services locally and to grow industry and business,” she said.
In welcoming Mr Furlong, Ms Nieuwenhuizen noted interest rates were a very familiar topic for homeowners, investors and business, but the region’s exposure to international trade was equally important.
Each year Greater Shepparton exports more than $500 million of product to the world — and more than half is manufactured food and groceries followed by agriculture.
However, the region also imports almost $1 billion of products with machinery, equipment and inputs for manufacturing making up nearly 90 per cent.
“What happens in international markets and what happens to the Australian dollar is very important to the competitiveness and prosperity of our local industry — Troy has given us much to consider as we adapt to a persistently volatile outlook,” Ms Nieuwenhuizen said.
Mr Iervasi spoke about SPC Global’s export ambitions that have expanded following its merger with Nature One Dairy and the Original Juice Company in November.
He highlighted the critical need to develop its product offering to match the needs and preferences of consumers in local and international markets and emphasised the growth in functional foods and new product formats and taste combinations.
He also reinforced the advantages of its Shepparton operations located along side high quality food producers.
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