WHEN SunRice’s Coleambally rice mill closed more than four years ago, rice production in the region had fallen to 19,000 tonnes.
Last year, the mill reopened to help process its 800,000 tonne rice crop, and this year it is going to do the same, with a 960,000 tonne crop expected this harvest.
With the mill resuming operations, SunRice has invested $2.3 million into the redevelopment of the site, which will generate 34 jobs for the town of about 600 people.
Nationals Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the announcement at the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia annual conference at Hay last week was exciting news that would deliver certainty to the Riverina.
“This is a tremendous boost not just for Coleambally, not just for the Riverina but for the rice industry in southern NSW,” Mr McCormack said.
“The rice grown in our part of the world is the best anywhere and is recognised as such.”
Colleambally ricegrower David Brain said the mills reopening could be credited to water in the region.
“In 2007, I didn’t have any rice, because we didn’t have any water.
“The decision to reopen the mill is absolutely fantastic for the town and the area.”
Mr Brain said rice production on he and his wife Tonetta’s 600 hectare property “Farm 180”, was back to normal since the drought, and said this year was looking even better than last year’s successful crop.
SunRice chairman Gerry Lawson said there would be marked community benefits from the reopening, including the creation of local jobs, a boost to local businesses and an optimistic outlook for the entire area following what has been a difficult number of years for the growing region.
“We are looking towards a positive future and we anticipate the Coleambally Rice Mill will remain open for the next 12 months and may extend beyond this point depending on continuing good harvest conditions,” Mr Lawson said.
He said with the mill becoming operational, SunRice would maximise the use of the Coleambally to Tocumwal rail terminal road leg, enabling efficient transportation of rice for export.
The reopening of the mill follows a strong year for SunRice.
The company employed more than 200 new people and re-established supplier relationships with regional businesses.
Combined with dividend and paddy payments, this delivered an injection of approximately $300 million into local Riverina communities.
The mill is expected to be fully operational by November of this year.
