The development application is recommended for approval, with a number of conditions, according to the agenda for Tuesday’s Meander Valley Council meeting.

The feed mill at Westbury is expected to provide work for up to 250 contractors during construction and create more than 20 full-time equivalent jobs once operational. 

It will be capable of producing 50,000 tonnes of finished feed per year, which will be used to supply the aquaculture industries in Tasmania and New Zealand.

“Ridley currently manufactures and supplies aqua feed to the Tasmanian market from its Narangba facility near Brisbane,” the development proposal said.

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“The primary rationale for the project is to locate the Ridley aqua feed production process closer to its main source of demand being the Tasmanian aquaculture industry. 

“Customer benefits will include reduced supply chain costs and improved capability to service demand.”

The company is also hoping to secure local suppliers for the required ingredients.

If approved, the mill is likely to predominantly produce salmon feed but it will also manufacture feed for finfish species.

Ridley’s Tasmanian facility is expected to inject about $21 million a year into the economy and will be based at the Valley Central Industrial Precinct.

It will face some competition, with BioMar Australia announcing plans in December to develop a $56 million aqua feed production facility at Wesley Vale.