$20 million investment in BWEZ

The City of Ballarat is excited to welcome a $20 million investment in the Ballarat West Employment Zone by renowned national food manufacturer, Luv-A-Duck.

The Wimmera-based company will shortly begin work on its Ballarat operation, creating 30 new jobs, while also making a pleasing substantial investment into its current Nhill facility.

Luv-A-Duck is a family owned and operated business that has been producing retail ready duck meat products, including flavoured pre-roasted cuts, for 50 years.

Luv-A-Duck owners already have a link with the city with one of their forefather’s serving as Mayor of Ballarat in the early 1900’s. His portrait hangs in the Ballarat Town Hall.

Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh said the announcement confirms industry confidence in our city, and particularly the Ballarat West Employment Zone.

“It is fantastic to see a Western Victoria business grow and expand, and Ballarat is very excited to be this iconic brand’s new home,” Cr McIntosh said.

“Luv-A-Duck’s investment is strongly aligned with the City of Ballarat Economic Program and helps cement Ballarat’s positioning as an innovative, prime food manufacturing location.

“I’m thrilled that the City of Ballarat’s Economic Development Unit was able to assist Luv-A-Duck through the process of becoming the latest BWEZ tenant.”

The economic impact of the $20 million construction phase of the Luv-A-Duck facility will boost Ballarat’s economy by $16.7 million and create 118 jobs during construction.

Once operational, Luv-A-Duck will generate 30 ongoing jobs which will increase the size of Ballarat’s economy by $10.5 million annually.

Cr McIntosh said she was also looking forward to more exciting BWEZ announcements in the near future.

“These announcements are all about jobs and shows that Ballarat is open for business.

“This is a fantastic announcement coming off the $210 million Serco Citizen Services police call centre investment announced for Ballarat last week.

“We are providing a great balance of workforce opportunities in Ballarat and we are confident they will continue to come.”

Other BWEZ anchor tenants include Kane Transport, Broadbent Grain, machinery company Agrimac, treatment table manufacturer Athlegen and brewing firm BROO.

BWEZ is a staged 438-hectare development – a partnership between the City of Ballarat and the Victorian Government - for a range of manufacturing, agribusiness, construction, freight and logistics, and research and development use.

It is unique in regional Victoria in economic land development scale.