Farmers to milk Brownes’ big cheddar cheese plan

South West dairy farmers will benefit from the return of a popular Brownes cheese product. Cheddar cheese will once again be made in the Brownes factory in Brunswick, after a 14-year hiatus. The plan is set to benefit 45 dairy farmers from the region, who will supply fresh milk to aid production. The new line will also create up to 10 new jobs through the production and distribution processes. Premier Mark McGowan and Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke visited the factory yesterday to launch the new product. They were treated with a classic cheese toastie — featuring the iconic cheddar cheese — and toured the cheese production rooms where they met with factory workers. Mr McGowan said WA had some of the “finest and safest” fresh produce in the world. “It is really exciting to have a new locally-produced cheddar cheese back in production,” Mr McGowan said. “Buying local and supporting our local primary industries is so important, particularly as we continue on a path of economic recovery from a challenging few months.” Mr McGowan said 15,000 tonnes of cheddar cheese was imported into WA every year. “We have had 14 years without the manufacture of cheddar cheese in Western Australia. “It has all been imported from the east or from New Zealand, but now we will have it manufactured back in WA using local products and local workforce.” He encouraged consumers to keep an eye out for the product and “put it to the taste test”. Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the move was “great news for South West dairy farmers, with Brownes planning to increase its milk intake from 129 million litres to 140 million litres this year”. WA Australian Dairy Section president and Brunswick farmer Michael Partridge said “the increase in demand was a big win for dairy farmers”. “This will give WA families the opportunity to buy WA-made dairy products,” Mr Partridge said. Brownes has future plans to add a mature cheddar and vintage heritage reserve cheddar to the menu.