Economic boost for City of Frankston as horticultural firm Ball Australia moves to Skye

The new employees will include up to 12 retrenched auto workers.

Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan announced the company would get a $350,000 grant to support its multi-million dollar project to establish a new production and administration site in Skye.

The new 20ha site will feature advanced equipment including germination chambers and hi-tech environmental controls.

Ball Australia managing director Paul Boland said the move had been planned for years.

“It comes at a time when the amenity horticulture sector is among one of Australia’s fastest growing industries and we want to be there to support this growth,” he said.

“What Ball Australia will bring to Melbourne’s south east is opportunity, jobs, improved marketing and promotion of plant products plus a continuance of bringing gardening into consumers’ lifestyles.”

Ball received the grant under the government’s $46.5 million Towards Future Industries: Victoria’s Automotive Transition Plan.

Mr Noonan said the government was committed to facilitating investment that creates new sustainable jobs and economic activity in Melbourne’s south east, north, west and Geelong regions.

Carrum state Labor MP Sonya Kilkenny said: “We are supporting auto workers by investing in companies, like Ball Australia, that will provide new job opportunities for the future.”

Council CEO Dennis Hovenden said Ball Australia’s move to Skye would deliver a major boost to the local economy and make the firm one of the top 20 private employers in Frankston City.

The firm is due to complete the move to Skye by mid 2017.

Details: ballaustralia.com