Independent economic analysis commissioned by the Australian Sugar Milling Council has revealed a total direct and indirect economic contribution of $93 million from the sugar manufacturing sector in the Whitsunday local government area (LGA) in 2017-18, underpinning a total of 567 regional jobs.
Using sugar mill spending data grouped by postcode, respected analyst Lawrence Consulting was able to calculate and quantify the sugar manufacturing sector’s contribution last financial year by Local Government Areas.
“Direct sugar manufacturing spend of $71 million at Wilmar’s Prosepine mill generated significant community benefits in the Whitsunday local government area,” ASMC’s Director of Economics and Trade, David Rynne said today.
“The sugar mill pays wages to 168 employees, purchase cane from local sugarcane growers, and also contract many local businesses to provide the goods and services required to run and maintain raw sugar manufacturing,” Mr Rynne added.
“Modelling the flow-on effects of the mills’ direct expenditure allowed the total (combined direct and indirect) economic impact to be estimated.”
Manufacturing contribution
In 2017, the region’s sugar mill produced a total of 199,000 tonnes of raw sugar.
Wilmar has invested significant capital into the Prosepine mill since assuming ownership in late 2011 for it to remain operationally and globally competitive.
21 January 2019