Costa Group’s Vertical Farming General Manager Jose Cambon, left, and Minister for Agriculture and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall inspecting the first crop of tomatoes in one of the two new five-hectare glasshouses, as part an $80 million expansion.
Monday, 6 December 2021
AN $80 million expansion of Costa Group’s Guyra Tomato Exchange will bear 160 new jobs and deliver long-term economic benefits to the region, with Northern Tablelands MP and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall last Friday officially opening the 10 hectares of new production glasshouses.
Mr Marshall opened the two new five-hectare glasshouses alongside Costa’s Vertical Farming General Manager Jose Cambon.
“In 2016 Costa’s output at Guyra was around 2.5 million kilograms, fast forward six years and it now has capacity to produce 18 million kilos of tomatoes per annum,” Mr Marshall said.
“This level of private business investment is not often seen anywhere in rural and regional NSW, let alone the creation of another 160 jobs in one single project.
“The first of the new glasshouses is now in full production, but once the second comes online in 2022 the total workforce on the site will grow to more than 800 people.
“I am proud the State Government has been able to offer various assistance over the past decade to facilitate different stages of the site’s growth.
“Through financial assistance for preliminary road infrastructure, grant application support and payroll tax relief the State Government has facilitated this major employer’s long term presence at Guyra.”
The expansion also includes a 2.5-hectare propagation nursery. It brings the total Costa glasshouse footprint at Guyra to more than 40 hectares – the largest anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
Mr Marshall congratulated Costa Group on the completion of the project despite challenging conditions.
“The construction of the new glasshouses has been anything but smooth, with the drought and COVID-19 pandemic causing disruptions,” Mr Marshall said.
“Despite these unavoidable setbacks two state-of-the-art five-hectare glasshouses have been delivered.
“The use of innovative closed water capture systems and large water storages onsite will future proof production against future dry times, protecting both produce and jobs.
“I thank Costa Group for its commitment to seeing the project through and I look forward to seeing the economic benefits of the Guyra Tomato Exchange continue to flow into the households of our region.”