Oreco Group, Australia’s largest producer of retail-ready garden products, is set to expand its facility in Childers thanks to the funding assistance provided through the Queensland Government’s $175 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund.
The $20.8 million expansion project will allow the company, previously known as Australian Prime Fibre, to double production, introduce new product lines and increase its logistics capability, creating 140 new jobs for the region.
Oreco Managing Director Paul Woosley said the new Childers Manufacturing Hub will provide work to machinery operators and drivers, technicians and trade workers, clerical and administration officers, and labourers, both semi-skilled and ticket level.
“Our new Childers Manufacturing Hub will allow us to diversify our product offerings with additional mulches, fertilisers, and animal feeds and bedding, while giving us the ability to grow our export lines,” Mr Woodley added.
Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the expansion project will provide a big boost for employment in the Wide Bay-Burnett.
“The project will transform Oreco’s Childers site, starting with a globally competitive manufacturing hub, which our support has accelerated the construction of by three years,” the Minister noted.
“Once the hub has been delivered, an all-weather, multi-user regional freight centre will then be established, which is going to drive great opportunities right down the supply chain.”
