Supporting regional development through infrastructure improvement: A look at Hillwood Berries and local agriculture
Nestled on the picturesque coast of Queensland, Bundaberg is a town that might be best known for its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and of course, the world-famous Bundaberg Rum. However, behind its charming facade lies a robust agricultural sector that plays a crucial role in not only the local, but also the national economy. Farmers in the region are increasingly adopting advanced technologies and sustainable practices. These innovations help boost productivity, improve crop quality, and ensure environmental sustainability.
About Hillwood Berries
One local farm leading the way in such innovations is Hillwood Berries. Tucked away in Avondale on the North side of Bundaberg, this family-run business, known for its high-quality, freshly picked berries, has a rich history in farming. However, it’s not just about tradition for Managing Director, Marcus Dornauf, who expanded the family business from Tasmania to the Bundaberg region- it’s also about innovation. With Bundaberg’s ideal climate allowing them to make the most of the winter growing season, Hillwood Berries’ production of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries has increased significantly. As a result of their expansion and the need to keep up with production, Hillwood Berries engaged IDC Construct to assist with the provision of critical infrastructure that would support their operations.
Infrastructure improvement and capacity building
The close to 1500 square metre structure, installed and project managed by IDC Construct, has played a pivotal role in the efficient storage, packing and distribution of berries, grown over a combined 28 hectares of land. The factory shed encompasses a drive-through approach to allow for a thoroughfare, which guarantees maximum efficiency when delivering packaging, and loading and unloading trays. This intentional design enables a circular workflow, ensuring there are no hold-ups due to vehicle blockages, resulting in higher productivity and ultimately, higher output of Hillwood berries.
Whilst approximately two thirds of the facility is dedicated to packaging, the remaining space houses an impressive cool room facility which stores the berries. All Hillwood berries are picked and packed in field, reducing the number of times the produce is handled, thus improving the quality of the fruit as well as time efficiency. The trays of berries are delivered straight from the field to the cool room, which can be partially credited for the less than 2% rejection rate Hillwood experienced last season. Within the refrigerated facility, there is a ticketing room where trays are barcoded, allowing for the business to know exactly where the berries have come from, which means greater traceability and control over quality. Next, they are transferred to the forced-air cooling room which has 16 individual bays. Pallets are placed here, triggering a fan that sucks cold air through it. The air is then re-circulated and is drawn back into the room at 2 degrees, leading to improved shelf life. The third room in this impressive facility, holds the berries while they are waiting to be distributed. The loading bay incorporates specialised technology to ensure the cold chain is not broken when loading pallets onto trucks.
Partnerships supporting regional development
In providing our services to businesses like Hillwood Berries in Bundaberg, IDC contributes to infrastructure improvements and regional development. Supporting local businesses with innovative, efficient and quality infrastructure means an increase in productivity, job creation (from farm labour to roles in processing and distribution) and subsequently leads to increased economic development. However, agriculture in Bundaberg is more than just an economic activity; it’s a way of life. The local community is deeply connected to the land, with many families having farmed the same soil for generations. The strength of our relationships within our community underpins IDC Construct’s success, and we understand what a privilege it is to be trusted by local businesses in their pursuit of growth and innovation. Our connection to domain experts, our crew, and our clients is the reason why there’s no project we can’t confidently tackle. The trust, loyalty, and respect that we develop within our community is what makes the process of ‘building Bundaberg’ fulfilling and meaningful.
