Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My hometown of Launceston certainly has its fair share of culinary delights. In 2021 the city of Launceston was named a UNESCO city of gastronomy. I am sure there are many here who have attended our iconic three-day food festival, Festivale, which brings together a wide range of producers to City Park in central Launceston. On a more local scale, Launceston also boasts the popular weekly growers and makers market, Harvest Market, in the city. It regularly hosts World Street Eats in nearby Civic Square, which offers a variety of international foods, reflecting our community's growing multiculturalism.

But bubbling under the surface of the UNESCO city of gastronomy application was the promise of something new to Tasmania, FermentHQ, a fermentation hub that underpins the local start-up culture, bringing together small entrepreneurs who want to make things like sourdough, kimchi, yoghurt and kombucha, just to name a few, in a collaborative environment with all the tools needed for fermentation. FermentHQ was first conceptualised in 2016, and on 2 August this year the building was officially opened in Legana's industrial precinct. The brainchild of dynamic local businesswoman and restaurateur Kim Seagram, FermentHQ is a labour of love that will bring together food innovators, small producers, entrepreneurs and lovers of fermented food. This exciting global-first facility will have a future of cutting-edge research and development, hands-on training and the potential for agritourism adventures. It provides a space where innovators can test and produce their products in collaborative way, engaging with others and leasing small offices to assist in the development of their products.

The former federal member for Bass, Bridget Archer, secured funding of $7½ million for this critical project under the Building Better Regions Fund. As a proud supporter of this concept since its first announcement, I congratulate Kim and everyone instrumental in bringing FermentHQ to life. I can't wait to see the fermentation industry build and thrive in Tasmania— (Time expired)

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for highlighting the success of Tasmanians leading the way.