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Joint venture partners NIOA and Rheinmetall AG’s proposed $60 million, world-leading munitions forge and advanced manufacturing facility has received support from the Fraser Coast Regional Council.
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The $60 million best-practice forging and advanced manufacturing facility was designed to produce artillery shells and other munitions products for the Australian Defence Force and export to select foreign strategic partners.
NIOA managing director Robert Nioa said, "I’m very proud to be able to bring a project of such important economic benefit back to my own home town. The long-term and highly skilled jobs at the Maryborough facility will be transformational for the region."
The high-tech facility will bring significant new investment to the region with the creation of up to 100 direct, long-term and highly skilled jobs in Maryborough and the surrounding Fraser Coast.
Substantial flow-on effects will also create many more indirect jobs and benefits across the region in the retail, property, transport, child and healthcare sectors.
"The Maryborough facility will help transform the region by creating long-term jobs directly and indirectly, boost the region’s economic and manufacturing base and provide a solid economic foundation for growth in education and skills, leading to a diversified workforce," Fraser Coast mayor George Seymour said.
The council has been working closely with the Rheinmetall/NIOA joint venture company to develop a package to attract them to the region. This involves a suite of incentives, including:
- Investment facilitation and co-ordination assistance;
- Deferred payment arrangements; and
- Waiving infrastructure fees.
"The council have been very supportive of the proposed facility, and have been fantastic to work with, making it very easy to do business. It is great to see an increasing level of economic activity returning to the Fraser Coast region," Nioa said.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
