Premier Gladys Berejiklian has officially opened the state-of-the-art Riverina Oils and Bio Energy (ROBE) plant in Wagga Wagga, which will export to markets across the world, including India.
The new facility in Wagga’s growing industrial centre, Bowmen, will crush over 200,000 tonnes of locally sourced oilseeds per year, in order to produce worlds-best oils and vegetable protein meal.
ROBE has also recently launched its ‘Wagga Wagga Oils’ brand in India, with the product now available in more than 20,000 supermarkets across the subcontinent.
“Today marks an exciting day for Wagga Wagga and the broader Riverina, with ROBE investing over $100 million into the local economy,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“ROBE is a wonderful example of the exciting opportunities that Regional NSW offers for global investment and collaboration, particularly for emerging markets such as India.
“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring our regional communities thrive and play a central role in our State’s economic success.”
ROBE is one of the largest food and agri investment in Australia over the past decade and the first greenfield project funded by India’s largest bank, SBI and the Bank of Baroda.
Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire said ROBE would help provide a major contribution to the local economy.
“Today is evidence of Wagga Wagga’s potential to attract major international investment as an agricultural and regional powerhouse,” Mr Maguire said.
“Our record investment in infrastructure and support for projects throughout the Riverina, such as the Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub, will continue to provide jobs and see Wagga grow into the future.”
ROBE Managing Director Dhruv Deepak Saxena said Wagga Wagga’s central location, and diverse workforce made it the best location for the agri-business to invest.
“We are incredibly proud of our achievements over the past five years. We have brought together investors from across the world to bring this exciting project to life,” Mr Saxena said.
“From our base here in Wagga Wagga, we are exporting world-class products across the world.”