Following an 18-month recovery process that cost more than $100 million, the Norco Lismore ice-cream factory is officially back in business.
The reopening in November meant 130 employees were back on the job and Australia’s “best tasting ice-cream” was back on supermarket shelves.
With a heritage that spans 128 years in the region, the factory was left decimated by the devastating 2022 Lismore floods.
Signalling a major step forward in Lismore’s post-flood recovery, the Norco ice-cream factory — which produces about 42 million litres of ice-cream each year — has become synonymous with the town getting back on its feet.
Made possible with more than $40 million in Federal and NSW government funding, the milestone follows a year-long rebuild and commissioning process which has seen the 100 per cent farmer-owned co-operative build a more modern and flood-resilient facility.
It now has a flood-proof design and technologies that have equipped the site to defend a 15-metre flood — higher than the 2022 levels.
Norco CEO Michael Hampson said he was proud to celebrate with team members, the community and many of the people who helped make the rebuild a reality.
“Today is indeed a rewarding day for our co-operative and I’d first like to thank our incredible Norco workforce who have worked tirelessly on all facets of this rebuild over the past 12 months, from commercial to construction and manufacturing, as well as the dedicated team members we’re delighted to have welcomed back to work over the past couple of months,” he said.
“It’s been a challenging period for our co-operative, but we certainly wouldn’t be standing here today without all of their hard work and commitment, and belief in the vision for Norco..”
Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt congratulated the Norco team and said the reopening was a significant milestone on the road to recovery in the Northern Rivers.
“Norco is one of the region’s biggest employers, and seeing the doors reopen will be a big boost for the community,” Senator Watt said.
The reopening is also welcome news for Norco’s 273 farmer members, many of whom are still working to rebuild following the floods.
Mr Hampson said the reopening of the ice-cream factory offers a signal of hope for Norco’s dairy farmers, giving them confidence in the future farm gate milk price.
“Anytime someone chooses to buy Norco, every cent goes back to supporting our farmer members — so seeing Norco-branded ice-cream back on supermarket shelves offers a strong sign of positivity for those farmers who have been doing it tough in recent times.”