Shire of Murray's Food Innovation Precinct officially opens

The Shire of Murray’s Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia (FIPWA) has been officially opened heralding the formal start to activities in the agrifood centre.

The state-of-the-art precinct- known as 'Mereny Bidi Boodja' which means ‘food, pathway, land/country’ in the local Noongar language- is an ecosystem for innovation in the agriculture and food spaces.

It is made up of a food and beverage production centre with a food technology facility, an Innovation Centre and a Research and Development Centre.

Owned by the Shire of Murray, the precinct was built with a $21.75 million grant from the Australian Government, and has attracted further significant investment from the State Government to establish a common-use Food Technology Facility within the precinct. 

FIPWA was formally opened by the Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Small Business and the Hon. Don Punch, Minister for Regional Development.

Anchor partners already using the precinct include:

•    Murdoch University, whose Food Science and Nutrition campus at the precinct establishes a world-class destination for food professionals and researchers committed to advancing knowledge and production of food that is both good to eat and good for you. Murdoch University is using the facility in collaboration with the national research, industry and Government consortium, the Future Food Systems Cooperative Research Centre, for projects that help businesses to satisfy increasing demand for sustainably produced products.

•    The GrowHub, a Singapore-based innovation business supporting Western Australian food and agricultural businesses access international markets

•    Spinifex Brewing Company, who champion Indigenous culture through infusing native Indigenous botanicals into craft beers. 

There has been widespread business interest in the Food Innovation Precinct WA since its development and the complex is open to interested parties throughout WA, interstate and overseas from the commercial, public and academic domains to advance and accelerate agrifood, food, and beverage innovations aiming to capture new market demand.

“The opening of the Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia is a landmark moment for the Shire of Murray, and is the culmination of a huge effort by a large number of people over many years. I am grateful to our hardworking Shire staff,  supportive Council, the Australian and State Government, and key industry partners who shared the Shire's vision and worked collaboratively to bring this innovative centre to fruition," President of the Shire of Murray David Bolt said.

For more information on the Food Innovation Precinct WA visit www.fipwa.com.au

Image caption: Chair of the FTF Project Management Group Dr Natasha Teakle, Regional Development Minister Don Punch, Chair of the Peel Development Commission David Doepel, Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis, Murdoch University Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Deeks, Shire of Murray President Cr. David Bolt, Member for Murray-Wellington Robyn Clarke MLA, Former Minister for Agriculture and Food Alannah MacTiernan. PIC: Supplied