The Queensland government has allocated AU$925,000 out of the State Budget to establish a new manufacturing hub for the Wide Bay Burnett region at Manufacturing Skills Queensland’s Centre of Excellence.
The new hub aims to support more than 990 local manufacturers. The funding is designed to help regional businesses innovate, adopt cutting-edge technologies, improve productivity, and expand into domestic and international markets.
The new hub aims to revitalise regional manufacturing and directly address a skills shortage in the industry. The Wide Bay Burnett hub marks the third expansion of Queensland’s Manufacturing Hub network, following recent rollouts in Toowoomba and on the Sunshine Coast.
Minister for Manufacturing Dale Last stated that the investment would leverage the region’s unique competitive advantages.
“Regional Queensland is the engine room of our economy and this investment ensures manufacturers in the Wide Bay Burnett have every opportunity to grow, innovate and compete,” Last said.
“We are backing industry with practical support that helps businesses expand, employ more Queenslanders and secure future investment.”
The Wide Bay Burnett region boasts a diverse manufacturing footprint, including food and beverage production, agricultural manufacturing, plastics, timber products, and the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program.
Member for Maryborough John Barounis welcomed the hub as a major win for local workers.
“Manufacturing is part of our identity,” Barounis said, noting that the hub delivers the practical support local businesses have been asking for to attract skilled workers.
Local industry leaders have also backed the announcement. Josh Linwood, Director of Allweld Manufacturing, said the hub would help solve one of the sector’s biggest hurdles.
“One of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today is attracting and developing skilled workers,” Linwood said.
“This Manufacturing Hub will play an important role in building capability across the region by creating pathways for apprentices and upskilling existing workers.”
