serving happiness
PROJECTS
INVESTING
IN VICTORIA
Farm Frites Australia is investing more than $440 million in Horsham, in local jobs and in Australian farmers.
Until now, we’ve imported our products from Farm Frites’ European factories in The Netherlands, Belgium and Poland.
DOOEN
After a nationwide search, we’ve chosen a site in Dooen (9km from Horsham) for our first Australian factory.
Through this project, we’ll create:
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750 construction jobs
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245 permanent jobs – in the facility and regional sales offices
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Opportunities for local workers, trades and students
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Additional demand for Australian-grown potatoes.
WHY DOOEN?
Dooen is perfectly located in between the best potato growing regions of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
This central location, as well as Dooen’s ideal connections to the national road freight and rail network, make it the right place for our first Australian factory.
The site in Dooen is located within the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal (WIFT) and the Wimmera Agriculture and Logistics Hub.
THE PROJECT
The 30-hectare food processing facility will include:
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Unloading and storage areas for potatoes
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A closed conveyor for transporting potatoes from storage to the factory
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A production line that takes raw, unwashed potatoes and makes the finished, frozen products shipped to our customers
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An internal road network for light and heavy vehicles
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All associated waste, water and monitoring equipment.
The production line will operate 24/7.
Subject to planning and environmental approvals, we aim to commence construction in late 2025 or early 2026 and start production in early 2027.
Project benefits
The project represents a huge investment in the Wimmera, and Australian farmers.
Our facility will support Australian farmers and businesses – and we’ll hire local workers first.
Highlights include:
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A $441 million capital investment in Dooen and Horsham
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An ongoing boost of $191 million to the Australian economy
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750 jobs - demand for local trades, skills and materials during construction
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245 permanent jobs - from those on the factory floor to those in administration, management, maintenance and sales
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New employment opportunities for local contractor businesses in construction, maintenance, and associated services sectors
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Training and career pathways for local students, including those at nearby Longerenong College
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Long-term investment in Australian agriculture.
APPROVALS & PERMITS
The project requires two major approvals:
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A planning permit. We’ve applied to the Minister for Planning for a planning permit, with the support of Horsham Rural City Council and the State Government’s Development Facilitation Program.
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A Development Licence from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria.
Every potential impact will be managed in line with strict EPA requirements.
Council
Horsham Rural City Council is also proposing to amend the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal (WIFT) Precinct Master Plan to allow manufacturing of this scale on the site. This would involve Council deleting the word ‘small’.
Consultants
We’ve assembled a team of Victoria’s best expert and technical consultants to develop the proposal – from managing trucks and traffic, to how we deal with our waste, to how we can landscape the site to minimise visual impacts.
PROJECT TIMELINE
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Stakeholder Engagement
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Review Feedback
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Planning Permit Approval
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EPA Development Licence
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Construction
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Facility Opens
APRIL
2025
MARCH
TBC
TBC
2026*
early
2027*
*pending approvals
WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK
You’re invited to meet our expert team and talk about what matters to you. From our vision to power the plant with 100% renewable energy in the future, to the steps we’ll take to manage waste and protect amenity.
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
Future sessions updated online
Check website for upcoming dates, or send us a request.
CONTACT US
If you can’t make it to our planned sessions,
email us at community@farmfrites.com.au.
We’ll make a suitable time to catch up with you.
We’ll provide regular updates on our website.
Feel free to check back from time to time.