Norco’s ice cream factory in Lismore, NSW is officially back in business following an 18-month recovery process from last year’s floods.
According to Norco, this achievement is possible thanks to more than $40 million in Australian and NSW government funding.
The 100% farmer-owned dairy co-operative has built a “more modern and flood-resilient facility than ever before”. It features a flood-proof design and technologies that have equipped the site to defend a 15m flood, higher than the 2022 levels.
“Today is indeed a rewarding day for our co-operative, and I’d first like to thank our incredible Norco workforce who have worked tirelessly on all facets of this rebuild over the past twelve months,” says Norco CEO Michael Hampson, “from commercial to construction and manufacturing, as well as the dedicated team members we’re delighted to have welcomed back to work over the past couple of months.
“It’s been a challenging period for our co-operative, but we certainly wouldn’t be standing here today without all of their hard work and commitment, and belief in the vision for Norco.
“We understand just how important the factory is to our workforce and the Lismore community and will remain future-focused on continuing to create opportunities for the region, maintaining a strong focus on innovation, jobs creation and investment in people, to create exciting career development pathways from right here in Lismore.
“I’d also like to express my sincere gratitude to both the Australian and NSW governments who facilitated the Anchor Business Support Program, and delivered the funding which has enabled us to rebuild in a way that has modernised our operations and introduce product innovations and technology that will help cement the Northern Rivers of NSW and its thriving ‘food belt’ as a food innovation, centre of excellence.”