MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has welcomed news 20 jobs will be created in Armidale after a huge funding boost for one of the region’s emerging industries.
The Australian Natural Therapeutics Group has received $1.38 million in funding from the NSW Government as part of a huge $6.93m injection.
The funding will create jobs in cultivation, manufacturing, and quality and logistics as well as infrastructure upgrades to improve and expand on current processes.
Australia began exporting medicinal cannabis in 2018 and the Armidale facility’s operations began in 2019.
“It is excellent to see more jobs created in Armidale and I was happy to support ANTG in its funding application,” Mr Moylan said.
“Over the last six years, we have seen a big increase in demand for export-ready and premium quality medicinal cannabis.
“To have Australia’s largest exporter expanding their operations in our own backyard is a huge coup for the region.
“The investment will drive development, and it showcases the world-class operations and industries we have within the Northern Tablelands.
“ANTG plays a big role in the Armidale economy and this funding will ensure continued growth into the future,” he said.
Facility upgrades will include improvements to cultivation areas, processing rooms and secure storage, helping to strengthen efficiency, quality and future export readiness.
The improvements will see the company significantly increase throughput to meet growing domestic and export demand and create 20 new jobs on top of its existing 80 staff across cultivation, manufacturing, quality and logistics.
The project will also grow local capability by expanding in-house curriculum and practical training for specialised roles in cultivation and manufacturing, supporting career opportunities in a regional industry with national growth potential.
NSW Government will contribute $1.38 million and ABC CAN will contribute $5.55 million to the project.
Across the region, International Flight Training Tamworth has received $6.61 million for major upgrades to the Tamworth facility to attract new tenants and investment.
Upgrades will include new lighting, replacing heating, and new ventilation and air-conditioning systems to ensure the facility meets industry standards.
The project will bolster the Tamworth Aviation Precinct’s reputation as a leading pilot training hub in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region, creating new employment opportunities and driving economic growth while meeting critical global demand for Australian-trained pilots.
The investment will increase pilot training capacity to over 200 pilots annually, creating direct and indirect business and employment opportunities.
NSW Government will contribute $5 million and the Tamworth Council will contribute $1.61 million to the project
Tamworth Region mayor, Russell Webb said council is grateful to the NSW Government for the investment.
“With over 300 favourable flying days annually, Tamworth is the ideal setting for cadets looking to take off in their aviation careers,” Cr Webb said.
“Funding infrastructure like this supports regional communities like Tamworth to contribute to the growth and success of the aviation industry locally, and internationally.”
