Essence Group Nowra: Medicine manufacturer proposes $18m expansion

A major medicine manufacturer on the NSW south coast has proposed a mega $18m expansion to their facilities, allowing them to employ more workers and expand their operations. See the plans.

Artist render of the proposed expansion.

A south coast company known for manufacturing infant nutrition products, medicines and dietary supplements has proposed a major, multimillion-dollar expansion to their operations.

The Essence Group, based in Nowra, has operated in the regional town of 22,000 for more than 15 years, employing 180 workers and manufacturing a number of dietary and medicinal goods.

Now, the manufacturing business operating at Norfolk Ave, South Nowra, has submitted a development application to the Shoalhaven Council to construct a new major warehouse at the vacant block opposite their current facilities.

The move was made to expand their operations, with the $18,012,371 proposal featuring a warehouse, office spaces and room for machinery.

Due to the proposal’s cost, the development application currently sits with the NSW Regional Planning Panel and is listed as “under assessment”.

The expansion could be built next to the existing facilities.

Documents tendered to the application reveal the construction of a single level warehouse building with a gross floor area of 7102sq m, construction of an ancillary two level office space with a gross floor area of 1414sq m, supporting services, lunch amenities, plant and storage areas, 73 carparking spaces, onsite loading bays and truck circulation, retaining walls to compensate for site falls to the east and landscaping.

A spokesman for the Essence Group said the development was needed to increase their work operations.

The site for the proposed expansion.

A look at some of the machinery used by Essence to manufacture their goods.

He said the expansion would create new employment opportunities for the local area while allowing a greater line of operations for the business.

“The proposed warehouse operations will be from 7am to 5pm with the onsite office hours from 8am to 6pm up to six days a week,” he said.

“It is anticipated the warehouse may accommodate up to eight staff and the office have up to 40 staff.”

Plans for the new facilities show the warehouse fitting a similar aesthetic to the existing facility in operation and documents tendered to the application state the designs do not exceed height limits and keep with the overall building style of the area.

Artist render of the proposed expansion.

Artist render of the proposed expansion.

The area in which the proposal is set to be built is listed as the Nowra industrial area and therefore, documents state the designs will have no impact on the surround properties.

The proposal will remain with the NSW Regional Planning Panel until the panel meet.

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