The highly anticipated Coolamon Cheese Factory has taken the next big stride in opening its doors to the public and vital tourists, as the council is handed the keys to building.
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The council has partnered with cheesemaker Barry Lillywhite and his swathe of investors to deliver what is hoped to be the next big tourist destination for the Riverina.
Under that arrangement, council will take ownership of the $230,000 IGA building in Coolamon’s main street. It will lease the building to the cheese factory at cost before a buyback in three years time.
Council's general manager Tony Donoghue envisions that the cheese factory would position Coolamon to take advantage of the "tourism triangle" consisting of Junee, Coolamon and Wagga.
“It will change the whole way we do things in that day visitation market,” he said. “It’s why we’re involved.”
Anton Green, the son of cheesemaker Barry Lillywhite, said construction work would begin to bring the factory up to scratch before the November opening date.
Mr Green said the company is still hopeful of receiving a funding grant in the near future.
“It’s all happening really, really fast. It’s been a big puzzle,” he said. “But it makes (investors) feel part of something that is going to be good for the region.”
