Rheinmetall Nioa opens munitions factory in Maryborough, funding for Analytica factory
A $60m munitions plant, putting a Queensland city which once built Australia’s naval fleet back in the sovereign defence game, has officially opened as the Coalition makes another jobs-rich pledge in the former manufacturing heartland.
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Maryborough’s long awaited $60 million munitions factory has officially opened, putting the city which once built Australia’s naval fleet and trained World War II pilots back on the sovereign defence map.
The Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions projectile forging plant at the Moonaboola Industrial Estate, off the Bruce Hwy, means 100 new, long-term jobs and up to $100 million in economic output, including $36 million in Wide Bay alone.
Federal Defence Minister Peter Dutton was there for the ribbon cutting on Monday morning which he said represented a “new chapter” not only for the city but also, “demonstrating our ability to compete and potentially export to our international partners and allies around the world”.
RNM Deputy Chairman Robert Nioa of NIOA (pictured far left), a Brisbane-based firm which is currently Australia’s largest privately owned small arms supplier, grew up in Maryborough and his nephew Jackson (pictured right behind Mr Dutton) has been overseeing the local project as Director.
One of NIOA’s subsidiaries, the Australian Missile Corporation, is among three companies tasked with bringing the Federal Government’s plans for a billion-dollar missile factory to fruition.
In a statement, Mr Dutton said the design, development and manufacturing of munitions and small arms had been identified as one of the Federal Government’s top 10 “Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities”.
Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien, who has championed the project since it was flagged as a possibility four years ago, said in the same statement, “RNM could have chosen to locate in any democratic ad freedom loving country in the world, but instead, backed by the Liberal and Nationals Government, they decided to plant their strong industrial roots into our region, and that decision will benefit us and generations to come”.
“From construction through to production, and the unique final finishes that includes showcasing timber produced by Hyne Timber, our region is now reaping the benefits of this investment in Maryborough,” he said
The $60 million plant is manufacturing what the company says is the world’s most technically advanced 155mm calibre projectiles.
It will produce artillery shell cases and other related products with state-of-the-art equipment including a 1200-tonne hot forging press that is now turning out the first orders.
Moments after the opening ceremony, Mr O’Brien was at Maryborough’s Town Hall Green, committing federal funding to a factory of a different kind.
If re-elected, a Coalition Government will commit $4.8 million towards a hi-tech manufacturing facility for Analytica's ‘PeriCoach’, a pelvic floor repairing device targeted at the one-in-three women worldwide who suffer urinary incontinence after pregnancy or in older age.
Analytica first scored a grant through the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund last year.
The Brisbane-based company is led by Maryborough Doctor Michael Monsour and the company’s chief operating officer Chelsea Cornelius also grew up in the Heritage City.
The factory would create 51 local jobs and build Maryborough’s reputation for cutting edge manufacturing, Mr O’Brien said in a statement.
“This investment will allow this prototype device to be fully developed and manufactured right here in Maryborough, and by preventing incontinence it will change the lives of countless women worldwide, reducing the need for surgical intervention and improving the health of older women so they can stay in their own homes for longer instead of prematurely entering residential aged care,” he said
“Importantly, it will also create 51 local jobs, potentially rising to a workforce of 200, including highly skilled positions for software engineers, data scientists and IT professionals, and it will build Maryborough’s reputation for highly-technical and cutting-edge manufacturing.”
Dr Monsour said the new facility would be the start of a new era in health manufacturing in Wide Bay.
“This funding through the Coalition Government means we can build the PeriCoach right here in Maryborough where it was first invented and will be able to support the local community through employment opportunities as well as transforming the health of women worldwide,” Dr Monsour said.
“This has the potential to be a game-changer for women’s health as well as for manufacturing medical devices in Australia. It is also anticipated to save health costs due to the elimination of unnecessary surgery and reducing the number of women admitted to nursing homes due to incontinence.”
Originally published as Rheinmetall Nioa opens munitions factory in Maryborough, funding for Analytica factory
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