Leipzig Australia, led by chief executive Frank Vounasis, is planning a $80 million, 1000-hectare olive grove near Waikerie that would become South Australia’s largest and produce 2.8 million litres of olive oil a year.
The project, Waikerie Grove, would include 357,000 olive trees and create 20 full-time jobs plus 70 seasonal roles, with management by Diana Olive Oil and a 30-year supply agreement with an ASX-listed distributor.
The company has also proposed rezoning 300 hectares nearby for an employment precinct called Waikerie Park, featuring an olive-crushing plant and potential businesses including an abattoir, solar farm and nursery, a move forecast to create 346 full-time jobs and $38.4 million a year.
Vounasis said the grove would proceed regardless of whether the rezoning is approved, with plans to lay a 10–13km pipeline pumping 900 litres per second from the River Murray.
“For the long-term planning of the region, it’s a really good opportunity,” he said.
A second 600-hectare plantation may follow if the project proves successful, while the precinct proposal will now go to community consultation before state government consideration.
Source: The Advertiser.
