WIMMERA producer Luv-a-Duck is set to expand operations into Ballarat, creating 30 ongoing jobs in a $20 million investment for the region.
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A new facility in the Ballarat West Employment Zone will focus on retail-ready duck meat products, including flavoured pre-roasted cuts.
Nhill will continue to be the base for Luv-a-Duck’s primary processing operations, with a further $5 million investment in these facilities in the next 18 months.
Victorian Regional Development Minister and the City of Ballarat made the announcement on Monday evening.
Construction of the Luv-a-Duck facility in BWEZ is expected to create 118 jobs and boost Ballarat’s economy by $16.7 million during this phase, according to the City of Ballarat.
Luv-a-Duck, a family owned and operated company, is Nhill’s largest employer and has transformed into a celebrated example of bringing refugees and migrants to regional towns.
Company operator John Millington spoke in Ballarat last year about the successful integration in the community of Karen refugees from Myanmar who had gained employment in local business.
READ MORE: Jobs the key to refuge assimilation
Mr Millington said while the gradual process of introducing the Karen population to Nhill had not all been smooth sailing, it had created benefits, including a $41.49 million boost to the region’s economy.
BWEZ is a staged 438-hectare industrial development for a range of manufacturing, agribusiness, construction, freight and logistics, and research and development use.