A Sunshine Coast nursery will build a new facility to cultivate at-risk marine plant species, while delivering a score of new jobs.
Monocot Pty Ltd, at Eumundi, will construct a micropropagation laboratory to help grow key mangrove and seagrass species, which are key for carbon storage, water quality and marine animal habitat.
The species are difficult to commercially cultivate and require sterile, climate-controlled conditions to grow, which will be achieved through specialised lighting and equipment in the laboratory.
The plant products are expected to be used for blue carbon farming and mining rehabilitation.
The laboratory will be built next year and will create up to two local, direct full-time jobs and up to a further 30 indirect full-time jobs, largely thanks to a Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant worth up to $200,000 via the state government.
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Monocot Pty Ltd director Belinda Brown said the new facility would bolster the ecosystem and the workforce.
“The laboratory will be used to commercially trial and grow selected mangrove species using tissue culture and micropropagation techniques,” she said.
“Mangroves are important as they stabilise the coastline from erosion, improve water quality and accumulate three to ten times more carbon than most ecosystems on the planet.
“They are also a breeding habitat for many animals, like fish, birds and crustaceans.
“The construction and fit-out of the lab will require specialist suppliers of cold rooms, air-conditioning systems and lighting, as well as the purchase of laboratory equipment.
“When mangrove propagation trials are established, we anticipate that the nursery may require up to 30 additional laboratory assistants and/or nursery production staff to assist with the project.”
RED grants are available for up to $200,000 with a 50 per cent cash contribution requirement from applicants to fund projects that generate economic and employment opportunities related to primary production value chains across rural and remote Queensland.
The program has provided $13.3 million in funding to support 59 successful regional agribusiness projects, worth more than $52.4 million and estimated to create over 2500 new direct and indirect jobs, during the past five years.
A sixth round of grants, supporting Indigenous-owned agribusinesses and projects aimed at low-emissions agriculture, has been allocated for the 2023-24 financial year, with applications to open later this year.
The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority administers the RED Grant scheme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
