Van Diemen’s Land set to expand dairy operations at Woolnorth

Australian dairy farming company Van Diemen’s Land is set to expand its dairy operations at Woolnorth in the far North West, following the receipt of approval from the deputy premier Bryan Green.

The company is seeking to invest over $122m for the expansion project, which is expected to create about 65 jobs in the farm development stage and more than 260 jobs when the farms are fully operational.

Green said that the approval has been granted by the Forest Practice Authority to allow land to be cleared for the development, after the project complied with the public benefit test under state policy for the protection of native forests.

The project is pending approval from the Federal Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act.

The investment would make Woolnorth one of the largest grass-feed dairy operations in the world and would position the North-West as one of Australia’s major dairy producing regions.

Mr Green said: "This is a huge vote of confidence in the future of Tasmania’s dairy industry and the Circular Head region.

"Tasmania’s dairy industry currently employs more than 2500 people and generates about $500 million in farm and factory income."

The Tasmanian government has been working with key enterprises in the dairy sector, to help reach its full potential.

The domestic dairy sector will witness significant investments in the near future, including a $140m redevelopment of the Lion cheese factory in Burnie and a new $70m milk processing plant at Smithton.

Located in the picturesque northwest of Tasmania, Van Diemen’s Land (VDL) owns and operates 25 dairy farms, a dairy support unit, a standalone heifer rearing operation and 30,000 dairy stock.