The two new glasshouses just north of the town cover 10 hectares and will help the company achieve its long-term goal of producing 21 million kilograms of tomatoes a year.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Guyra shire mayor Hans Hietbrink inspected the newly operational glasshouses.

He said the support from the government had enabled the Costa Group to upgrade and expand its facilities.

“The new glasshouses, which are already producing tomatoes, expand Costa’s existing 20-hectare glass-house on a nearby site,” Mr Marshall said.

“Costa employs up to 6000 people during the peak harvest season across Australia, with more than 2000 people in NSW alone through its tomato and berry growing operations – around 400 of which are now in Guyra.”

Mr Marshall said the $60 million expansion would create 171 new jobs.

“This is great news for Guyra and surrounding centres,” he said. Cr Hietbrink said he hoped Guyra locals would be employed at the new facility, rather than drive-in, drive-out workers.

Costa is a major Australian grower, packer and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables, and Mr Marshall said he was pleased the government partnered with Costa to help create more economic activity in the region and more jobs.

“This investment has helped Costa upgrade the road entrance from the New England Highway to the site of the new glasshouses, allowing easier and safer access,” Mr Marshall said.