A RIVERLAND winery is set to begin an expansion worth almost $10 million after the State Government announced $2 million in funding for the project.
Kingston Estate Wineries will expand its Kingston-On-Murray facility, creating up to 90 new local jobs, as part of a $9.5 million project backed by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone, who visited the winery on Monday, said the State Government understood the importance of regional SA to the prosperity of the state.
“Our most recent rounds of the Regional Growth Fund are unlocking nearly $20 million of investment in the Riverland,” he said.
“The projects include expansion of Australia’s second largest family-owned wine company, Kingston Estate, an expansion to the Berri Hotel, an upgrade at Torrens Valley Orchards and an innovative project at Yalumba Wine Company to help future-proof South Australia’s wine industry – creating more than 130 jobs.”
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the projects would provide both a direct boost to the local community and wide-ranging benefits for the state.
“2020 has been a tough year for South Australians and our regions have been hit particularly hard, firstly with drought, then bushfires and now the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
“Regional South Australia will be critical to our economic recovery and the Marshall Liberal Government is building what matters to back businesses to create jobs.
“The $25 million from our Regional Growth Fund will unlock more than $170 million of investment in South Australia’s economy – creating more than 1500 jobs across the state.
“This crucial investment in shovel-ready projects will kick-start a range of strategic initiatives, which in turn will provide vital economic growth in the wake of the challenges posed by 2020.
“These companies, and the others we are working in partnership with, are building a future in their industries, in their communities and for the state.”
Applicants to the Regional Growth Fund were eligible to seek grants from $50,000 up to $2 million, with projects given preference if they could show a greater private-to-government funding ratio and demonstrable strong economic outcomes.
For more information, visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/regionalgrowthfund.