$3 million dairy processing facility opening in North Qld

Mungalli Creek Dairy on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland is opening its new $3 million processing plant, supported by the Palaszczuk government’s $175 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the recently completed facility near Millaa Millaa, south-west of Cairns, will create around 24 new jobs, cementing Mungalli Creek Dairy’s position as the largest employer in the rural community.

“This new $3 million facility will allow the business to produce and process more milk, yoghurt and cheese, meaning more jobs for the Tropical North,” Healy said.

“The company has also invested a further $2.7 million to purchase additional farmland that they’ll transition to biodynamics to increase their milk supply.”

Established in 2000, Mungalli Creek Dairy is a paddock-to-plate biodynamic dairy, using an enhanced form of organic and regenerative farming that requires no fertilisers, pesticides or antibiotics to maintain the quality of its land. The dairy farm employs more than 60 staff helping to process almost four million litres of milk per year.

Minister for State Development and Manufacturing Cameron Dick said the 24 new jobs created will be across the business, including farming, processing, maintenance, management, accounting and sales.

“Projects like Mungalli Creek Dairy’s new processing plant unlock valuable opportunities in our regions, creating stronger and more diversified local economies which in turn delivers more jobs to regional Queensland.”

Mungalli Creek Dairy CEO Robert Watson said the new facility’s modern and efficient equipment will increase productivity and allow the business to grow market share and become export compliant.