Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:55): I have previously spoken in this place about the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund and some of the projects that have received funding through this valuable program. Just to reiterate, the four-year $20 million Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund was announced by the South Australian government in February 2010 to facilitate the region's recovery from a prolonged drought. On a recent visit to the Riverland, I had the opportunity to visit a number of businesses that have received funding through the fund. I would like to talk about two of these firms: Riverland Almonds at Loxton and Ingerson Citrus at Bookpurnong, just out of Berri.

I was shown around Riverland Almonds by Colin Watkins, operations manager of their Loxton facility. Riverland Almonds is South Australia's second largest packer and marketer of almonds, behind Almondco, and has a strong history in growing, processing and packaging almonds. Riverland Almonds has operated since 1993. The company maintains strict safety and quality assurance accreditation and is one of Australia's leading almond processors.

Riverland Almonds was awarded over $608,000 through the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund towards the installation of a new radio frequency pasteuriser and retail packaging line in the almond packaging facility at Loxton. They sought the pasteurisation machinery to reduce the risk of microbiological contamination in order to meet anticipated changes in food safety and marketing standards. They also received funds towards a vertical form fill seal and packaging line, enabling the company to package products locally to meet market needs.

In my discussion with Colin Watkins, I was informed that over 60 per cent of Riverland Almonds' production was export oriented. I was also impressed by the constant desire to be innovative. One example was the company's trialling the roasting of almonds using the new pasteuriser. There is very little wastage in the processing of almonds, and Colin and his team are always looking to improve the processes. Other significant benefits of the project include the creation of 12 new jobs.

Another business I visited whilst in the Riverland was Ingerson Citrus at Bookpurnong, and I was very fortunate to have David Ingerson, managing director, show me the firm's new packing sheds. David is extraordinarily knowledgeable about the citrus industry. Ingerson Citrus is a Riverland-based, family-owned citrus growing, packaging and marketing enterprise operating 200 hectares of citrus orchards strategically located across the region. It has been operating since 1931.

The business specialises in the production of new, high-value citrus varieties that meet domestic and export market trends, particularly mandarins. The Ingerson family operates a successful and profitable large-scale citrus enterprise, growing and packaging their own citrus under the Ingy's brand. The company is well-established in the citrus packaging industry with existing export marketing linkages. In fact, over 60 per cent of produce is exported to the likes of New Zealand, the United States, China and Sri Lanka, to name a few.

In response to the citrus industry trend and international demand to supply easy-peel seedless mandarins, Ingerson Citrus dedicated 70 hectares of its Riverland properties to the production of four varieties of easy-peel seedless mandarins. Ingerson Citrus was awarded some $420,000 through the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund towards the development of a new packaging house, loading area and fruit preparation line, with associated equipment and systems, in order for them to process four new varieties of easy-peel seedless mandarins.

In addition to the creation of five FTE jobs, the new packaging house will improve product quality and allow greater quantities of mandarins to be delivered to both the local and export market. In my discussions with David Ingerson it was very clear that Ingerson Citrus is constantly looking at how to innovate and expand their markets. An example of this was the sale of small-sized mandarins to Sri Lanka. I congratulate both Riverland Almonds and Ingerson Citrus on receiving funds through the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund. They are certainly an example of well-run businesses.