JOINT STATEMENT

 

Premier and Minister for the Olympics

The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

 

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment

The Honourable Cameron Dick

 

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs

The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon

 

Early works have now started on a new $500 million glass and manufacturing facility on the Gold Coast as part of Visy’s largest ever investment in Queensland.

 

The Premier, Treasurer and Environment Minister helped turn the sod at the Stapylton site today.

 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project was ground-breaking for Queensland jobs, manufacturing and the environment.

 

“This new glass and manufacturing facility will support over 600 construction jobs and around 200 jobs once operational,” the Premier said.

 

“Queensland is currently a net importer of glass packaging and currently doesn’t manufacture enough to supply the local market.

 

“When complete, it will manufacture 1 billion glass containers annually and support the growth of Queensland based beverage companies like Queensland Exporter of the Year Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, Asahi, CUB, Lion, and Coca Cola.

 

“This new facility will not only make Queensland glass packaging self-sufficient but also sets us up to be a net exporter.

 

“It will also divert up to 40,000 tonnes of glass out of landfill.”

 

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the new facility was part of Visy’s $700 million investment in Queensland.

 

“A crucial part of the agreement to secure the West End site for the International Broadcast Centre for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games was ensuring the manufacturing jobs there survived,” the Treasurer said.

 

“Visy’s $700 million investment in Queensland not only includes this $500 million glass and manufacturing facility but also a new $150 million cardboard box factory at Hemmant and $48 million to upgrades at its Material Recovery Facility at Gibson Island.

 

“This new recycling infrastructure project is great news for Queensland jobs, for Queensland manufacturing and for Queensland’s cleaner future.”

 

Minister for the Environment Meaghan Scanlon said once complete, the new facility will recycle glass from our kerbside bins and from Containers for Change deposit sites.

 

“It will divert up to 40,000 tonnes of glass from landfill, the equivalent of 200 million extra recycled beer bottles.

 

“It will also single-handedly increase the amount of glass Queensland can recycle from 140,000 tonnes to up to 200,000 tonnes a year,” Minister Scanlon said.

 

“Recycled glass from the facility will be used to make sustainable bottles and jars for Queensland’s growing food and beverage industry.

 

“Visy has advised that this new investment will be underpinned with long term contracts, ensuring operations stay in Queensland and increasing the sustainability of their glass packaging.

 

“The new facility will help Visy and its customers support Queensland’s clean energy future by increasing recycled content in glass packaging, while reducing emissions.”

 

Visy’s Executive Chairman, Anthony Pratt said:

 

“Recycling is an important weapon against climate change and this glass bottle factory has the technology to help enable Australia to go from 30-% recycled glass content in bottles to 70% recycled glass content in bottles which is world's-best practice,” Mr Pratt said.

 

“And it ensures that the majority of Queensland’s recyclable recovered glass containers from the state’s Container Deposit Scheme and kerbside recycling bins are remanufactured in Queensland.

 

“This investment is made possible by the leadership of Premier Palaszczuk, and her Government’s support for Australian manufacturing.”

 

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said:

 

“This is a huge coup for our city and will generate jobs through the construction phase as well as ongoing operation of the facility,’’ the Mayor said.

 

“I applaud the State Government, Visy and all parties involved. Our city’s economic base is broadening with manufacturing now generating more than $7.6 billion in annual outputs. Visy will significantly add to this in the years ahead.’’

 

Construction is scheduled for completion in 2025.

 

 ENDS

 

Media contact –

 

Zoe Russell (Premier’s office) – 0439 982 347

 

Geoff Breusch (Treasurer’s office) – 0417 272 875