By RUSSELL BENNETT
TYNONG’S Nine Mile Fresh – the largest and most sophisticated apple sorting facility in Australia – is officially open for business.
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan opened the $17 million facility last Friday in front of hundreds of industry professionals, local business people and state and local politicians.
He said the facility – a joint venture between Battunga Orchards and Bon View Orchards – would process 30 per cent of all the apples sold in Australia, something he claimed was “a truly remarkable achievement”.
Mr Ryan said the cutting-edge equipment operating at Nine Mile Fresh increased sorting capacity from 160 to 500 bins of fruit per day and reduced sorting, grading and packing costs by up to 20 per cent.
“Fifty local apple growers will supply this state-of-the-art facility, allowing them to meet the quality and volume requirements demanded by the major supermarkets,” he said.
Cardinia Shire Council mayor Graeme Moore hosted the official opening and said the sound of the working machinery in the background was “music to my ears”.
“This brings together two businesses to create a truly world-class facility,” he said.
“I’m extremely proud to have this facility in our region,” he said.
Robert Thompson from Nine Mile Fresh, and Battunga’s owner, thanked the State Government as well as companies Longobardi and Greefa for their involvement in the project.
Mr Ryan, who was joined by Bass MP Ken Smith at the opening, said the State Government had invested more than $400,000 to support the development, which has created 50 new jobs in Tynong – growing to 100 new jobs within five years.
