Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to congratulate the Richmond Valley Council for working closely with the private sector to encourage investment and, very importantly, the creation of local jobs in the Richmond Valley. After this government legislated last year to allow for the medicinal use of cannabis, Casino is set to become the centre of Australia's burgeoning medicinal cannabis industry after the council signed an agreement with company PUF to build a $100 million cannabis greenhouse and processing plant. This will create more than 300 permanent local jobs. A week after announcing this deal, Richmond Valley Council also announced plans to work with a Brisbane based biohub developer to hopefully build a $4.3 million biohub to turn organic waste and wastewater into energy, clean water and other bioproducts. It is also trying to lure a $37 million rural industries food hub to Casino after the proposal didn't attract the support of a nearby council.

Later this month, I will be turning the sod on a $14 million upgrade of the Casino saleyards, which was kick-started by a $3.5 million Stronger Regions Fund grant. I congratulate Mayor Robert Mustow and all the councillors, as well as CEO Vaughan Macdonald and all the staff, on their can-do attitude.