Eight spaces for food manufacturers
Central Coast Industry Connect has opened expressions of interest for tenancy at its Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub in Ourimbah, Australia. The A$17.14 million project will offer eight production-ready spaces with pilot manufacturing facilities. Small and medium-sized food and beverage businesses will be able to use shared infrastructure to develop products and expand production.
The hub is scheduled to open in March 2026, following construction completion planned for January. Executive Director Frank Sammut is seeking businesses with growth potential. Central Coast Industry Connect plans to provide mentoring, technical guidance and commercial support, including compliance, sustainability and export readiness, through its Manufacturing Advancement Centre.
Construction and a university-campus training site
Construction had begun by April 18, 2025. The Australian Government is funding the project, delivered by Central Coast Industry Connect with Central Coast Council, the University of Newcastle and Regional Development Australia Central Coast. Pilot and training spaces will support product development and skills training.
An interim Skills Hub at the university’s Ourimbah campus had equipment installed and training underway in April. Programs focus on manufacturing leadership, product innovation and machine operation, welcoming students, industry professionals and small business owners. RDA Central Coast also envisages opportunities for women, Aboriginal people and unemployed participants. The April construction announcement distinguishes this operating interim site from the permanent facility.
Land and business support
Central Coast Council provided land adjoining the university campus through a 30-year lease. Development approval was received in late 2024, according to Central Coast Business Review’s March 2025 edition. At that stage, construction was expected to start in late March; the April announcement subsequently confirmed work had begun.
The Manufacturing Advancement Centre will serve food and non-food manufacturers with services tailored to their needs:
- Technical and product-development support.
- Management and shop-floor training.
- Access to specialised service providers.
State funding for the training facility
The NSW Government announced A$629,280 for a training facility within the food-manufacturing hub on September 23, 2025. The award is part of its Regional Development Trust investments. The planned facility will offer training and workforce-development opportunities for businesses, students and job seekers. Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty expects it to help identify and address skills gaps and explore technologies that can increase productivity. The grant announcement did not establish that the new training facility had opened.
Sammut expects workers trained in modern manufacturing operations to help companies improve quality, safety and productivity, including through automation and robotics. Project Manager Alex Blow anticipates that the facility will develop participants’ skills, confidence and industry connections. These are expected benefits of the training investment. The September funding announcement concerns the training facility.
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