Tasmania is poised to introduce a pioneering industry through FermenTas’ Australian-first Fermentation Hub, currently under development in Legana.
This advancement is made possible by a $1.7 million grant from the Tasmanian Government, as part of its 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, designed to support and enhance businesses statewide.
Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson emphasised the opportunities the new facility would bring to Tasmanian businesses.
“FermenTas has been doing a lot of work to establish this new Fermentation Hub to grow this industry by introducing businesses to the sector and helping to develop new businesses,” Ferguson stated.
“It’s why we committed to backing this project during the election with a grant of $1.7 million to fund fit-out and equipping of this purpose-built facility.
The hub is envisioned as a center of excellence, fostering knowledge-sharing and innovation.
“It will become a centre of excellence and one of knowledge-sharing, ideas and passion for finding the next big thing, be it a beer, a cider, a kombucha or a kimchi,” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister for Education Jo Palmer highlighted the hub’s multifaceted benefits, from new business and product development to training, career opportunities, export growth, and waste reduction.
“This hub will be a place for new businesses and new products, a centre for hands-on learning for trainees and apprentices to gain recognised qualifications and a hub for great ideas and know-how to be shared,” Palmer said.
The project has already supported around 94 jobs through the design and construction phases, with additional ongoing roles expected once operational.
“Excitingly, we hope that FermenTas achieves another of its stated goals of the fermentation hub project, creating new career paths not offered in Tasmania before, giving more young Tasmanians more reasons to stay here rather than losing them interstate,” Palmer noted.
Moreover, the project aims to reduce food waste by adding value to produce that would otherwise go unused.
“An added benefit of this exciting project is the reduction of food waste with produce that would previously have no value being value added,” she explained.
For more information on the FermenTas Fermentation Hub, visit www.fermentasmania.com.
