A new manufacturing hub designed to support Australia’s food and beverage sector has opened on the NSW Central Coast, with the Australian Government saying the facility will help small and medium-sized manufacturers scale production, develop new products and strengthen domestic manufacturing capability.
According to the Australian Government, the new Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub is a purpose-built facility that will provide food and beverage manufacturers with access to commercial production facilities, industry expertise and specialist support aimed at helping businesses transition from small-scale production to larger commercial operations.
The government said the hub is intended to support businesses as they develop, test and commercialise new products, while also fostering greater collaboration between industry and research organisations.
Food and beverage manufacturing is Australia’s largest manufacturing employer, supporting around 226,000 jobs nationwide, according to the Australian Government.
The sector contributes approximately $38 billion to the Australian economy each year and accounts for around one-quarter of the country’s manufacturing output.
The government said the new hub is expected to deliver broader benefits for the sector by strengthening links between manufacturers and researchers, enabling businesses to bring products to market more efficiently and supporting workforce development, collaboration and innovation.
It also said the facility is expected to contribute to economic development on the NSW Central Coast while helping food manufacturers expand into new commercial opportunities.
According to the Australian Government, the initiative aligns with its Future Made in Australia agenda by strengthening domestic manufacturing capability, supporting more resilient supply chains and helping businesses generate greater value from Australian-grown products.
The Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub received funding through a local industry grant announced in the Australian Government’s October 2022–23 Budget.
