Food innovation in Western Australia is set to reach new heights after the State Government, Future Food Systems Cooperative Research Centre and Murdoch University combined forces to develop a multi-million dollar Food Technology Facility (FTF).
The facility is currently under construction and is scheduled for operation later this year.
Underpinned by a previous $21.75 million Federal award through the Regional Growth Fund, the founding parties have planned together and are now delivering this state-of-the-art common user food production facility.
The FTF is located in the campus of the Food Innovation Precinct, WA (FIPWA) in the Peel Business Park in Nambeelup.
Together with the Research and Development Facility and the Innovation Centre at the Precinct, the FTF will be used to facilitate food innovation and development, significantly reducing the risk and extra costs involved and benefitting the WA food industry and consumers.
FIPWA will become an ecosystem of small-to-medium enterprises, research and development institutions, wider industry players including international agri-innovation firms, and government entities providing local and global entrepreneurs, food companies, and agri-enterprises an environment in which to research, develop and commercialise new value-added food products.
The WA State Government has provided $10 million in funding and Murdoch University’s Food Futures Institute is contributing over $2 million to deliver university operations and the Future Food Systems CRC is providing an additional $2.6 million.
Future Food Systems’ Research and Commercialisation Director Professor Cordelia Selomulya says the FTF represents a big step forward for Western Australia, the nation and ultimately, the world, helping food producers make more and better from less.
“By encouraging commercially-focused research and development, we can help producers turn low-value raw commodities into high-value, healthy, sustainably created products that ‘conscious consumers’ across Australia and the world will pay a premium for,” Professor Selomulya said.
Deputy Vice Chancellor R&I Professor Peter Davies believes the FTF will position WA to significantly transform much of its primary produce into value-added products.
“Murdoch University is excited to work with the State Government, FFS-CRC and the Shire of Murray to deliver food innovation research services in Regional WA. The signing of this binding agreement between the parties represents an important milestone in the delivery of the FTF. More importantly, we look forward to commissioning the facility in the coming months and welcoming WA industry and industry entrepreneurs to the campus,’’ Professor Davies said.
This research supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production.