GrainCorp plants the seeds of growth for our regions

With this year’s winter crop harvest just around the corner, GrainCorp will bring hundreds of jobs to southern NSW with their harvest recruitment program, now underway.

Currently, with a primary regional base in Wagga Wagga supporting the business’ network in Victoria and southern NSW, 35 permanent staff members cover logistics, commercial, human resources, operations, engineering and maintenance.  

On the back of a favourable season in 2020, GrainCorp will recruit up to 800 casual staff across the southern NSW region to manage local harvest receivals. Around 40 roles are available in Junee, 40 minutes north of Wagga Wagga, alone.

GrainCorp CEO Robert Spurway says the harvest staff play a vital role in the company’s operations.

“It’s important that we offer an effective and efficient service for local growers and also that we support these communities, as one of Australia’s largest seasonal employers,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity to provide local jobs and be part of a revival in the bush, following a prolonged drought and several months of disruption from COVID-19.” Robert Spurway, CEO GrainCorp

GrainCorp’s southern NSW receival network boasts 45 operational sites, including sub-terminals in Junee and Temora, and primary sites including Ardlethan, Barellan, Quandialla, Cunningar and Henty West, all with access to Port Kembla.

Significant investment has been made in recent years to improve up-country rail loading capabilities to match the port capability.

GrainCorp’s General Manager of Operations Nigel Lotz, who is also based in Wagga Wagga, says the region boasts the most efficient port zone on the east coast of Australia.

“Combining the investments with focused changes to rail operations has reduced cycle times and supply chain costs for growers,” he says.

“We’re very grateful that the NSW and federal government co-contributed and supported the upcountry rail infrastructure at sites including Barellan, Ardlethan, Hillston and Cunningar.

“This upcoming harvest is likely to be the first in which we’ll be able to fully test its capacity and we’re very much looking forward to that.” Nigel Lotz, General Manager of Operations, GrainCorp

Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott says businesses and the communities in which they operate rely on each other to thrive, create jobs and attract more investment.

“Jobs are the key to Australia’s recovery. While we are seeing a lot of challenges and hardship experienced by people, we are seeing huge opportunities and tremendous resilience from the community.” Jennifer Westacott, CEO Business Council of Australia 

Following a particularly difficult period for Australian farmers facing drought, floods, bushfires, and the impacts of COVID-19; a significant turnaround in conditions in the southern region is a positive sign for the upcoming season.

GrainCorp remained determined to support their local workforce during the drought and the current COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to build their teams in the region, with permanent roles including grain handlers, site managers, grain protection staff and maintenance crew.

‘‘Ultimately, it’s a priority for us to support the communities in which we live and work, some of which have struggled economically through the drought over the last couple of years,” Mr Spurway says.

“We must unleash the potential of our people and places across the whole of the country to get businesses back up and running, ensure people can return to secure work and create new jobs.” Ms Westacott adds.

To learn more about what business is doing to assist their employees, customers, stakeholders and communities through COVID-19 visit: www.bca.com.au/what_our_members_are_doing

The Strong Australia Network is made up of people who all want a stronger and better Australia. The Network was created by the Business Council of Australia to better engage with regional communities, and work on solutions to some of the challenges faced by our regions. To learn more about the network visit: https://www.strongaustralia.net/get-involved