MARQUIS Macadamias Australia has received development approval for all three stages of its multi-million-dollar expansion of its Bundaberg processing facility.
Stage one - estimated to cost about $20 million - will see a new delivery area built as well as drying and storage for an additional 4800 tonnes of nut-in-shell (NIS).
Marquis aims to start stage one in the second half of 2022, subject to final design details, further government agency approvals and possible additions to the development.
When all three stages are complete, Marquis estimates the expansion will cost up to $40m.
Marquis Group chief executive officer Larry McHugh said a number of changes to the design of stage one has been necessary to take into account the rapid growth of macadamias in Bundaberg.
"We are also considering bringing forward parts of the later stages, so that we can better deal with the rapidly expanding crop coming from our increasing grower shareholder base," Mr McHugh said.
"This may increase the cost of stage one to $25m."
Mr McHugh said the project would support the growth of the region's macadamia industry.
"The expansion project is an important step in the development of Marquis Group as a grower-owned company and for the broader Bundaberg macadamia industry," Mr McHugh said.
RELATED READING
"It will provide a secure platform for further industry growth and deliver increasing benefits to the Bundaberg community, including new jobs for Bundaberg locals across construction, farming and other areas."
Stage One will also see the development of a solar farm
Stage Two includes a new warehouse and production area
Stage Three will see two additional storage buildings.
"The expansion project will significantly increase Marquis' processing and export capabilities, catering to the demand for macadamia products globally," Mr McHugh said.
The Marquis Group is 100 per cent grower owned, processing 22,000 tonnes per annum through Marquis Macadamias Australia and 10,000 tonnes per annum through Marquis Macadamias Africa.
Both regions are ramping up capacity in the coming years to a combined 96,000 tonnes.
Sign up here to Good Fruit and Vegetables weekly newsletter for all the latest horticulture news each Thursday...
