In a bid to build more efficient infrastructure and increase production capacity, Australian fresh produce company Montague broke ground on the new packaging and export distribution center in Narre Warren North. The new facility will facilitate the introduction of a range of products onto the Australian domestic market and the growth of exports into key Asian markets.
The $54 million project will feature Australia’s first optical sorting equipment supplied by Compac and horticulture’s first fully automated high bay storage facility. The 18,000 square meter facility will have the capacity to process in excess of 34 million kilograms of fresh fruit product annually. The project is the result of a comprehensive five-year planning process by Montague during which it consulted with manufacturers and service providers throughout the world. The project was made possible with assistance from the Victorian Government’s
Food Source Victoria program.
In addition to increasing the fresh produce processing capacity of Montague the project will also feature a community engagement center as part of the project. This center will feature a café, retail store, bike rental facilities and pick your own orchard. The center will
significantly enhance the visitor experience for local and international visitors to Lysterfield Park as well as serving as a destination for international visitors seeking to see first-hand how Australian horticultural product is grown.
The soil turning ceremony, held in the scenic Montague orchard in Narre Warren North, was hosted by Montague Executive Director Scott Montague and The Honorable Luke Donnellan - Minister of Child Protection, Disability, Ageing and Carers and State Member for Narre Warren North. Also, in attendance were local Councilors from the Yarra Ranges Council and representatives from the City of Casey, Apple and Pear Australia Ltd., Parks Victoria and Yarra Ranges Tourism.
Mr. Montague said - “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce a facility which will be a catalyst in securing jobs in the future. As a proud 100% family owned business, Montague has supported regional fruit growers along the supply chain for decades, and with this new build we will be able to extend their reach into export markets around the world. In addition, we’ll continue to see our local community thrive with the creation of fifty new permanent jobs and the provision exceptional apples and stone fruit.”
The Honourable Luke Donnellan said - “As we break ground for this new facility, we are eager to see the positive effects it will have on our community, in terms of local and national visitors to the Yarra Ranges and the City of Casey. Montague is renowned as a leader in the fresh fruit industry, and we are proud that it calls Narre Warren North
home.”
Construction is anticipated to be completed by late 2020.
For more information: 
Chloe Hamilton
Montague
Tel: +61 (3) 9429 5251
Email: chloe@hchq.com.au
www.montague.com.au