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SYDNEY - Soft drink giant Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) says it will go ahead with a A$200 ($228) million upgrade of its western Sydney factory that will create 45 new jobs.
A green light from the NSW government means CCA can go ahead with plans for the upgrade of its 35-year-old Northmead site.
Plans include a new production line, which will create 30 new manufacturing jobs, and a new distribution centre where 15 warehouse positions will become available, the company said in a statement.
Capacity for two further productions lines will also be built in.
Construction work at Northmead will cost A$110 million and will create 120 short-term building jobs.
The company said it also plans to build a distribution centre at Eastern Creek, which will feature alternative energy technology and rainwater harvesting systems at a total estimated cost of A$90 million.
The upgrade will enable CCA to manufacture certain products on site that were previously imported from interstate.
"This will mean the creation of new jobs in manufacturing and the project means that jobs will stay in NSW and not go interstate or overseas," CCA managing director Terry Davis said.
Independent economic analysis commissioned by CCA found the "multiplier effect across the economy of western Sydney and of NSW of the expanded local construction and manufacturing output will be significant".
The construction industry will benefit from 1598 new jobs generated by demand for goods and services and raw material supply while the broader community would gain 990 additional jobs, the analysis found.
CCA will also fund a A$2 million 10-year community benefits program close to the Northmead site.
This includes the upgrade, maintenance and irrigation of a nearby reserve, a new local arts programme, the upgrade of Toongabbie Creek and the installation a traffic light warning signal on a treacherous section of local road.
- AAP
