The expansion of prawn farm is expected to create new employment opportunities. Credit: Andrés Medina on Unsplash.

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Australian seafood company Tassal Group is planning to invest A$257m ($183m) in Mackay-Whitsunday, Queensland, to establish an aquaculture hub.

The investment is expected to create 1,000 new employment opportunities.

As part of this initiative, Tassal Group will be investing A$85m ($60m) for expanding its Gregory River Prawn Farm in the north of Proserpine, wher expansion works are already being carried out.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said: “Approvals for Stage 4 expansion of Tassal Group’s existing facility near Proserpine were recently granted meaning construction can now start creating 100 construction jobs and further boosting operational jobs.

“This is part of an A$85m ($60m) programme that demonstrates Tassal Group’s confidence in investing in our State.

The expansion of prawn farm at Proserpine is expected to create 100 new jobs during the Stage 4 construction works, which is expected to be completed in mid-2022.

once the production at the facility reaches full capacity in August 2022, the Proserpine prawn farm is expected to create 60 new jobs, which will be an addition to the existing workforce of 244 members.