By Emily-Rose Toohey
The official opening of John Dee’s newly expanded regional cold storage facility was held in Warwick this morning.
A plaque was unveiled to remember the day alongside a tour of the expansion, which included an automated storage and retrieval system.
John Dee chief executive officer Warren Stiff said the new facility allows the company to demystify their complex production.
“We have so many brands in the facility and this automated storage allows us to pick orders by brand and by unique carton – that adds efficiency,” Mr Stiff said.
“We can now look to do 40 per cent more production.”
Through the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), $4.97 million was invested in the Southern Downs region, which assisted John Dee with its expansion venture.
The BBRF is designed to help create jobs, drive economic growth, and build stronger regional communities.
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud MP said projects like this are being backed so locals will have facilities for the future.
“This expansion not only protected the 630 existing jobs at John Dee, but it also created 143 new full-time jobs and 138 indirect new full-time jobs,” Mr Littleproud said.
Moreover, the expansion was assisted by the Queensland Government’s Jobs and Regional Growth Fund and was delivered by project delivery company Wiley.
Alongside Mr Littleproud, Assistant Minister for Treasury Charis Mullen, Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) Mayor Vic Pennisi, and SDRC councillors were in attendance.
Cr Pennisi said he was pleased that the region has been focused on for significant government and commercial investment.
“The John Dee expansion project highlights the positive outcomes that can be achieved working in partnership with the Federal and State Governments and industry heavy-weights,” he said.
“Improving critical infrastructure for the region’s beef cattle supply chain is a positive development for our region and vital to supporting one of our biggest industries – agriculture.”
Regarding the expansion, Mr Stiff said the five-year conceived project cost $25 million.
“The BBBR funding really did help in the actual building process, but we obviously had to add a significant amount of our own funds to that,” he said.
“From feasibility modelling, design, grant application, finance, construction and commissioning, a hardworking team from within John Dee and external specialists worked together to bring together what we see today,” he said.
Furthermore, Mr Littleproud said the project boils down to three positive outcomes.
“It creates employment opportunities, provided incentives for people to move into our community, and makes sure that businesses in the Southern Downs continue to grow with cutting-edge technology,” he said.
