SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE TASMANIAN BUSINESSES

FEDERAL Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson was pleased to announce substantial funding for two Southern Tasmanian businesses today and present them each with certificates of achievement for their innovation and investment.

Bridgewater business Moo Brew was granted $70,300 from the Federal Government’s Innovation and Investment Fund towards the cost of a $140,600 new canning line.

The investment will cover the purchase and commissioning of the line which will allow the business to introduce a new lower cost product.

Moo Brew brewery has expanded substantially since it was first installed on the MONA site when it was still Moorilla Estate, near Hobart, in 2005.

It developed its second site, at Bridgewater in 2010 where all its brewery operations are now carried out.

Reid Fruits received $1.1 million from the Federal Government towards its $4.4 million project to establish a non-traditional high elevation orchard at Plenty.

The project includes a retractable-roof greenhouse to mitigate weather risk which will extend the cherry season in Tasmania.

Reid Fruits exports cherries to more than 20 countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East and is one of the biggest cherry producers in Australia.

The Reid family’s involvement in the state’s fruit industry started in 1856 when James Reid settled in the Huon Valley south of Hobart and planted his first apple orchard.

The family orchards have expanded with each generation with Reid Fruits turning its attention to cherries in 2000.

More than 80,000 cherry trees have since been planted at Plenty along with 36,000 apple trees.
Federal Lyons MHR Eric Hutchinson