Hillwood Berries lodges DA for new packing shed at Rubyanna

A development application from Tasmanian business Hillwood Berries proposes a new growing site and packing shed at Rubyanna. 

The Bundaberg proposal is a small expansion on the Hillwood Berries growing presence as seen in this photo of their Tasmanian farms. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

A second generation farming company is looking to expand their presence in the Bundaberg region, with plans for a new packing shed in Rubyanna, if approved by the council.

Hillwood Berries has applied to turn 39.03ha of land in Rubyanna, formerly used for sugarcane and strawberries, into a major berry processing facility, with shade sail structures to protect the plants.

A development application submitted by Bundaberg business Planning Culture is seeking approval from the Bundaberg Regional Council for the Burnett Heads Road proposal.

The site will grow a variety of berries including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries to be packed in a brand new packing shed which is proposed for the site.

The application proposes the poly structures that would house the berries would be built in three stages.

Plans for the new packing shed at the proposed Hillwood Berries development. Image: Planning Culture.

The new packing shed and poly tunnel shade structures aim to boost employment in the region, with a seven day week operation employing a smaller crew of 8-15 staff boosted to 250 on-site workers during peak seasons.

“The fruit would be picked and packed on-site through the ancillary packing shed where it is then transported to market,” the development application said.

The design of the shade sail structures will make them water conscious, with plans to minimise wastage across the board.

“The berries would be grown in pots using an imported soil media which mainly consists of coconut coir,” the development application said.

“Hydroponic principles are then used to ensure each pot is suitably irrigated.

“The berries are grown under protected cropping structures to achieve a high-quality finished product, which in turn minimises wastage to less than 10 per cent.”

The poly structures are also designed to be removable, if the company should ever decide to return the land to cultivated farming.