The in-principle agreement between Southern Cotton and Queensland Cotton was unveiled in Coleambally late last week. 

While exact figures are yet to be unveiled, planning for the new facility is already underway, with hopes it will be up and running by 2020. 

Southern Cotton General Manager Kate O’Callaghan confirmed the move would bring around 5-10 permanent jobs to the area, in addition to around 40 seasonal workers. 

“It’s going to be a massive opportunity. For the cotton growers, it’s going to give them timely ginning,” she said. 

“It’s going to be a boost for the town. All of those people are going to be in the Coleambally area, going to the pub and eating the food.” 

She said Coleambally was chosen because of its growing cotton industry and connection to the Murray area. 

“It is a growing area. There is lots of growth in the Coleambally area. It’s also a gateway to the Murray,” she said. 

“It’s really the gateway to that growing cotton area.”

The new facility is set to be top of the line as well, with Ms O’Callaghan touting it as the “best gin in Australia, in terms of technology”. 

Southern Cotton Chairman Larry Walsh said the business had identified the region as a potential point for expansion. 

“We have identified access to ginning as a bottleneck for industry expansion in the Southern Valleys and a new cotton gin in Coleambally is our way of getting in front of the problem,” he said. 

Ms O’Callaghan said the company was excited about the upcoming partnership between the two companies. Queensland Cotton executive general manager, John Robinson echoed those same sentiments. 

“Our goal is to ensure growers have access to timely ginning and cotton quality management, as well as reap the benefits of potential transport savings,” he said.

“We are thrilled to have this partnership on the table and bring together two businesses who are aligned in their vision for exceptional service.”