Media release: New $80 million malting facility creates Qld jobs, boosts exports

[colinw]

I wonder if this will see a resumption of grain traffic to Pinkenba?  Does Barley even get carried by rail?

Ministerial Media Statement -> click here

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade
The Honourable Andrew Fraser

Thursday, November 24, 2011

New $80 million malting facility creates Qld jobs, boosts exports

Asia will soon get a taste of Queensland barley with a new $80 million malting facility at Pinkenba to create new export opportunities and new jobs.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade Andrew Fraser said the Barrett Burston Malting facility was now converting barley into brewing malt for Australian and international breweries.

"This investment from Victorian-based Barrett Burston reinforces what we all know – Queensland is the number one business investment destination in the nation," Mr Fraser said.

"The Queensland Government, through its Trade and Investment Queensland arm, worked hard to lure Barrett Burston – one of Australia's largest malt producers and a pioneer of Australian malting – to Queensland.

"This new facility is a vote of confidence in Queensland's economy, first-class growth outlook and business-friendly environment.

"As the state's first new malting facility in more than 40 years, the facility will significantly increase demand for Australian barley, creating both direct and indirect jobs.

"It will put Queensland on the map when it comes to Australian barley production, supplying 100,000 tonnes of malt to Carlton and United Breweries' Yatala brewery and the growing Asian market.

"Investments from companies of this calibre are critical to our economy because they create jobs and stimulate economic activity.

"The Bligh Labor Government will continue to work hard to attract world-class investment to Queensland."

Off topic: one of my hobbies is all-grain home brewing, and I use Barrett Burston malts as the basis for many of my beers.  Its wonderful quality malt, and every bit as good as the imported German & English stuff (which I no longer bother with unless trying to brew a very specific regional style like an English bitter or a Bavarian wheat beer).

There is already a malting plant at Redbank, run by Barrett Burston's main Aussie competitor Joe White Maltings. It used to have a rail siding, but I believe that is decommissioned now.