JOBS BOOST: Balonne ag project gets green light and $250K

An innovative farming project in the Balonne region, tipped to create plenty of new jobs, has been kickstarted with a huge grant from the state government.

Moonrocks of St George is launching a new project to convert their ‘imperfect’ vegetables into usable products, kickstarted by a $250,000 grant. It is expected to create up to 39 local jobs. Pictured: David Moon.

AN INNOVATIVE project to transform veggie waste into usable product, and create local jobs in the Balonne Shire, has been bankrolled by the state government to the tune of $250,000.

Moonrocks, which grows onions, garlic and broccoli at their St George farm, has received a Rural Economic Development Grant to expand and create up to 39 jobs in a new arm of the longstanding business.

The new project will be converting ‘imperfect’ vegetables which usually go to waste, into products which are fit for sale; manager Harry Harch said the whole process will happen on site, creating many local jobs.

“The new facility will transform whole vegetable products into sliced, diced and powdered ingredients, and value-added products made up of these components,” Mr Harch said.

“There is appropriate demand and financial incentive to process this waste into high value product.

“It will create jobs in the construction phase, farming operations, business administration, repairs and maintenance, food safety and quality assurance and compliance, as well as positions within the new value add facility; these are anticipated to be graders, process workers and forklift drivers.

“This is of value as it brings and settles families to the area, and have a substantial multiplier effect for the local economy.”

Moonrocks is one of 14 Queensland businesses to receive a Rural Economic Development Grant through the latest round of funding, which totalled $3.34 million.

Agriculture minister Mark Furner congratulated Mr Harch and the team on their bright idea to create local jobs, and make use of products that supermarkets would usually reject.

“Moonrocks has been farming in the Balonne Shire for more than two decades, but increased demand in contemporary markets for value-added vegetable products has allowed the company to use and sell what would previously have been thrown away,” Mr Furner said.

“The $250,000 funding will help allow the company make the most of a consistent waste stream of whole product already dumped on site and sources local waste then value add it and distribute both opportunity and flow on effects within the local government area.

“We know the COVID-19 pandemic has made it tough for a lot of businesses and communities, so these additional jobs will be most welcome.”

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