Australia’s First Food and Beverage Manufacturing Precinct Moves Forward in Queensland

Construction of Australia’s first end-to-end food and beverage manufacturing precinct is set to begin in early 2026, following a final call for tenants by the Turbine Precinct project in Caloundra, Queensland. The facility, which was officially announced in November 2021, has secured at least $42 million in funding from both state and federal governments. The project is located in the Sunshine Coast Industrial Park and aims to support small and medium-sized food and beverage businesses as they scale up operations.

Turbine Precinct is designed as a not-for-profit, co-operative hub where tenants will have access to shared infrastructure, advanced equipment, and opportunities for research collaboration. The goal is to help smaller producers—those with annual revenues below $2 million—grow into large-scale businesses with revenues above $20 million. The project’s CEO and Project Manager, Andrew Eves-Brown, explained that many businesses face significant challenges when trying to expand, particularly due to the high costs of equipment and the need for specialized skills.

Eves-Brown described Turbine as a blueprint for collaborative manufacturing, education, and innovation. He said the precinct will provide a pathway for businesses to bridge what he called “the valley” between being a small producer and achieving commercial success. By sharing resources such as services, infrastructure, and equipment, tenants can reduce costs and accelerate their growth.

The facility will also be relevant for beverage producers, who often face high capital requirements for machinery such as canning and bottling lines. Flexible leasing options are available for spaces ranging from 300 to 4,000 square meters. Approved tenants may also receive non-repayable funding to help with fit-outs and equipment purchases.

The Turbine Precinct is now entering its final phase of tenant recruitment. Eves-Brown emphasized that the project is more than just a building; it is intended to be an ecosystem that enables manufacturers to scale up, innovate, and pursue export opportunities with greater confidence. The project’s planning phase is well advanced, with construction scheduled to start in early 2026 after the tenant selection process concludes.

The initiative comes at a time when Australia’s food and beverage sector is seeking new ways to support innovation and competitiveness on a global scale. By providing shared resources and fostering collaboration among producers, Turbine Precinct aims to lower barriers for smaller companies looking to expand their operations. Interested businesses can find more information about leasing opportunities through the project’s official channels as the final tenant call-out continues.