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Food Industry Innovation Precinct settles at LaTrobe University, north Melbourne
THE Australian Government’s Food Industry Innovation Precinct, which attracted food manufacturing leader Peter Schutz to come out of retirement to chair and form the organisation, will be established initially at La Trobe University’s R&D Park Bundoora campus, in Melbourne’s north.
The Food Industry Innovation Precinct board accepted an offer from La Trobe University and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) to host the precinct for an interim 12 month period.
The Bundoora campus provides access to key infrastructure such as pilot plant and food preparation and tasting laboratories and is close to food industry partners in sectors such as dairy, confectionary, meat and cereal.
As part of the government’s $504.5 million Industry Innovation Precincts initiative, Minister for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet, said establishing the precinct at the R&D Park would enable it to start building opportunities for Australia’s food industry and meeting the goals of the National Food Plan.
“The industry is already a major exporter, however the precinct will ensure it is able to develop the capacity and capability to take advantage of export industries in the Asian century,” Mr Combet said.
“This industry-led initiative will help to make the food sector more attractive to investment.
“Establishing the precinct at R&D Park for an initial 12 month period will enable all potential hosts to prepare more detailed bids to host the precinct permanently.”
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the precinct was an important element of implementing the National Food Plan released last month.
“This will help us work towards the National Food Plan goal to increase the value of Australia’s agriculture and food-related exports by 45 percent by 2025,” Mr Ludwig said.
“The Food Industry Innovation Precinct is a national initiative. Supported by the Industry Innovation Network, the precinct will help collaboration right across Australia’s food and beverage industry.
“The new precinct will build more links between researchers, producers and food businesses to accelerate commercially-driven collaboration and innovation.
“An important aim is to support growth in Australia’s market share of processed food exports to existing and new markets.”
The Industry Innovations Precincts Program is a part of the Australian Government’s $1 billion Plan for Australian Jobs.
The other precinct named is for the manufacturing sector and is chaired by former Siemens Australia and Asia Pacific chief, Albert Goller.
It will also be primarily located in Melbourne, with an Adelaide base for Defence manufacturing. Another eight precincts are planned for various industry sectors around Australia, according to Mr Combet.
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