Lockyer Valley jobs growth stems from nursery expansion

A MAJOR expansion to a Lockyer Valley nursery is expected to create 40 jobs in the local economy when completed.

GROWING STRONG: Pohlmans Nursery general manager Robert Pohlman said the new project would increase productivity and secure local jobs. Picture: Lachlan McIvor

MORE than 40 jobs will be created as a Lockyer Valley nursery expands with a state-of-the-art greenhouse.

The project will mean Pohlmans Nursery at Gatton will move to a world class standard while creating agricultural jobs through grant funding from the state government.

The grant will contribute $250,000 towards the project, which is expected to create eight jobs during construction and then 40 direct and indirect jobs after it is completed.

Second generation director and general manager Robert Pohlman said the Pohlmans Nursery Propagation facility project involved a new state-of-the-art greenhouse facility which would maximise productivity, achieve the precise environment for all crops and staff and achieve the highest quality on the market.

"The new facility will allow us to meet current and future demand for products," Mr Pohlman said.

"The intended outcomes of the project include increasing productivity, production and sales for the business, thus creating and securing local jobs in the Lockyer Valley and broader economy.

"The project will increase security of supply by reducing our exposure to risk from external suppliers and allow us to further meet market demand at all times and enable Pohlmans to further explore export markets."

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said Pohlmans Nursery was one of 15 businesses in Queensland to receive a Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant to help fund expansion and create job growth in regional areas.

"The family-owned business has been operating for more than 40 years but the seedlings, potted colour, indoor foliage and trees and shrubs have literally outgrown their pots," Mr Furner said.

"Plans are in place to build a new state-of-the-art greenhouse designed to maximise productivity and cash in on the growing gap between supply and demand.

"These grants show how the Palaszczuk Government is supporting regional Queensland businesses today and growing our economy for the future."

The Rural Economic Development Grant program offers emerging projects up to $250,000 in co-contributions to build industry and grow employment opportunities across the agricultural sector. The $10 million grants program provides for three funding rounds over a three-year period ending 2021.

A total of 15 businesses have received $3.3 million under the first-round of funding for the RED Grant program. Overall these 15 projects are expected to create more than 600 jobs across the agricultural sector in regional Queensland.

Originally published as Lockyer Valley jobs growth stems from nursery expansion