CCBR Business Review

17 Your trusted partner for communication networks Mirait Technologies Australia’s network services division provides communication network solutions to Australi- an telecommunication and utilities to enabled the digital future. We are specialists in the design, construction and maintenance of communication networks. Backed by the Mirait Group, one of the world’s leading Broadband and Next Generation Telecommunication design construct and service companies. “Enabling the digital future through the design, construction and maintenance of digital networks” www.mirait.com.au M A J O R S T O R I E S Food Innovation Region initiative established PhilWalker Chairman, RDA Central Coast looks on as Prof Kevin Hall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), University of Newcastle, John Mouland, CEO RDA Central Coast and Frank Sammut, Executive Officer, Central Coast Industry Connect sign the Memorandum of Understanding at the Central Coast Campus on 2nd February 2018. THE YEAR 2018 has turned out to be a promising one for the future of the Central Coast’s food and agribusiness industry. In February a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central Coast NSW, and Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC) was established to build the Coast’s reputation as an internation- ally renowned centre of excellence in food innovation with the signing in February of a Memorandum of Understanding by repre- sentatives of the three organisations. In April the Central Coast Food Innovation Initiative was launched at a Food Futures Industry forum where the opportunities for collaboration and growth were explored. Subsequently, In June Central Coast industry Connect (CCIC) were successful in securing $393,000 of match funding over three years, to set up a Central Coast Food Cluster, to help build the regions capacity in the Food and Agribusiness sector bringing together industry, government and researchers. The inaugural meeting of the Cluster’s Steering Committee was held in October with 15 people representing industry, government and researchers. Together with this, CCIC are a signatory to the Fight Food Waste CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) which was announced in April, the largest national collaboration glob- ally, fighting food waste. The focus of CCIC’s involvement is to gain learnings from the CRC’s national and International work and bring them to the region’s food businesses. Commenting on the Central Coast Food Innovation Region Initiative, Central Coast Industry Connect Executive Officer, Frank Sammut, said, “International research has shown that innovating the food value chain is integral to enhancing regional economic development. The overarching objective of this initiative is to grow jobs, build regional business competitiveness and encourage national and international trade through a united vision, unprecedented collaboration, innovation, education and research,” he said. A critical mass of food producers The Central Coast has around forty estab- lished food processors and manufacturers plus a substantial number of primary pro- ducers that include chicken growers and vegetable and fruit growers. Among the leading manufacturers are Mars Food, Sanitarium, McCain’s, Cordina Chickens, Agrana Fruit and Chickadee. Smaller but equally important are East Coast Beverages, Herbies Spices Nougat Limar, Steinbok and Six Strings Brewery. Food and beverage manufacturing con- tributes $1,076 billion (2015/16) annually to the regional economy while agriculture contributes over $280 million. Over 4,200 people are employed across these sectors. Central Coast Food Innovation Region Initiative - Strategic Initiatives: 1. Develop a Food Innovation Centre at the Ourimbah Campus of the University of Newcastle 2. Launch business development attrac- tion projects including Supply Chain partnerships, attract new business and R&D capability, create food related tour- ism and hospitality ventures, 3. Enhance Research and Development capability creating a university led “Research Centre of Excellence” at the Ourimbah Campus, 4. Focus on skills and education. Develop education and training courses to attract national and international stu- dents. 5. Creation of the Central Coast as a Food Destination. 6. Improve regional health outcomes. CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW YEARBOOK 2018