Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley and NSW Member for Murray Adrian Piccoli today announced that Euston based Lanteri Pty Ltd had been successful in their application for funding under second round of the Australian Government’s Murray Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Programme (MDBREDP), administered by the NSW Government.

Ms Ley said the Federal and State Governments have again joined forces to help local businesses and communities impacted by the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

“Under the $100 million programme, the Basin States of NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia each select projects for funding in consultation with the Australian Government.

“I am delighted to be visiting Lanteri’s facility in Euston today to see first-hand how this funding will assist this local business to expand their operations and add value to their fruit and vegetable packing facility,” said Ms Ley.

Lanteri Pty Ltd plan to put their funding toward the construction of a new processing and packaging facility including shed, cool rooms, processing and packing lines, loading docks and accommodation.  The new facility will comply with Government export protocols and FTA requirements for export to China and create more than 80 new jobs at the site.

Mr Piccoli said this funding would support local economic development and diversification initiatives in Murray townships, and included the funding already announced at Hanwood, Leeton, Coleambally, Mulwala and Hillston which have been announced in recent weeks.

“Businesses across our region have secured more than $4.2 million in funding which is expected to lead to the creation of almost 300 jobs. This announcement at Euston is another great example of diversification and value-add across our region,” Mr Piccoli said.

Federal Minister for Regional Development, Fiona Nash, said the Coalition Government’s investment in local economic projects like this will help support and create new jobs in the Riverina Region, the Murray and Murrumbidgee.

“As a Minister who is based in the Basin, I understand just how vital it is to protect both the economic and social interests of Basin communities,” Ms Nash said.

“The Coalition parties are the only parties genuinely committed to achieving triple bottom-line outcomes in the Murray-Darling Basin which is why we have introduced a cap on water buybacks, prioritised funding for on-farm efficiency measures and invested in projects like this that will diversify and strengthen the local economy.”

NSW Minister for Regional Development, Skills and Small Business John Barilaro said more businesses across the Basin will be supported through the second round of funding of the MDBREDP.

“This funding was announced in November 2015 and is focussed on supporting regional business investment projects that will result in job creation in the Basin,” Mr Barilaro said.

“This Programme is a fantastic example of State and Commonwealth Government working hand-in-hand to create new jobs and support businesses, jobs and communities in the Murray-Darling Basin.”

For more details on the program, visit: www.industry.nsw.gov.au/murraydarlingfund