A Tatura East orchard has successfully completed a trial that saw 12,000 trees planted, including six new cherry varieties, in a high-density, weather-resistant environment.
The $775,000 trial at Turnbull Brothers Orchards was made possible with $327,000 of Federal Government funding via its $222M Regional Jobs and Investment Package.
Federal Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, said the project involved the construction of an innovative, ultra-high density cherry orchard that provided all-weather protection, including rain and hail cover.
Mr Drum said the project also involved the installation of a newly designed trellis structure to support the orchard and maximise yield and harvest efficiency.
“Turnbull Brothers has been operating for more than 125 years and over the past 15 years it has been researching national and international best-practice growing techniques, identifying profitable tree varieties and, literally, growing new markets,” Mr Drum said.
“The new orchard has injected economic benefits to the local community with stock being purchased from local suppliers and from local farms and chemical providers. It has also provided employment opportunities within the local community for orchard staff.”
The Turnbull Brothers project was one of many funded through the Federal Government’s Regional Jobs and Investment Package. Other Goulburn Valley projects funded through the package include the new Museum of Vehicle Evolution in Kialla, stage two of the Dookie Rail Trail, and the installation of a state-of-the-art laser welding machine at Furphy Engineering.
