$4.8 million investment in Maryborough manufacturing will change women’s lives

A world-leading product to improve women’s health will be manufactured in Maryborough, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing $4.8 million from a
re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government for Analytica to build a new production centre.

Analytica’s PeriCoach is a world-class incontinence treatment that uses a smartphone app and device sensors to help women carry out pelvic floor exercises correctly, improving continence and bladder health.

“This investment will allow this prototype device to be fully developed and manufactured right here in Maryborough, and by preventing incontinence it will change the lives of countless women worldwide, reducing the need for surgical intervention and improving the health of older women so they can stay in their own homes for longer instead of prematurely entering residential aged care,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Importantly, it will also create 51 local jobs, potentially rising to a workforce of 200, including highly skilled positions for software engineers, data scientists and IT professionals, and it will build Maryborough’s reputation for highly-technical and cutting-edge manufacturing.”

Dr Michael Monsour, Chairman of Analytica Ltd, said the new facility would be the start of a new era in health manufacturing in Wide Bay.

“This funding through the Coalition Government means we can build the PeriCoach right here in Maryborough where it was first invented and will be able to support the local community through employment opportunities as well as transforming the health of women worldwide,” Dr Monsour said.

“One in three women suffer from urinary incontinence, resulting in a massive drain on health expenditure. This has the potential to be a game-changer for women’s health as well as for manufacturing medical devices in Australia. It is also anticipated to save health costs due to the elimination of unnecessary surgery and reducing the number of women admitted to nursing homes due to incontinence.”

Mr O’Brien said the Coalition Government’s $4.8 million investment in the new facility would have a positive impact on the economy and provide more employment opportunities over the long term.

 “Maryborough is making a significant contribution to Australia’s manufacturing capability and the Coalition Government is committed to seeing this grow,” Mr O’Brien said. 

“That’s why we’re investing in projects like the new Analytica facility, as well as the Rheinmetall Nioa Munitions plant, which received a $28.5 million federal contribution, and $785,150 to enhance supply chain capabilities at Global Manufacturing Group.

“These investments are creating local jobs and strengthening Maryborough’s reputation throughout Australia and the world as a manufacturing powerhouse.

“I’ve been working for some time with Analytica Chairman Dr Michael Monsour to secure funding to establish this manufacturing facility here in Maryborough, and I share his enthusiasm for the town’s future.

“I also acknowledge the work of the Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie, who worked with me and Dr Monsour to help secure this commitment to improve women’s health and create jobs.

Dr David Gillespie, Minister for Regional Health said devices such as the PeriCoach enable the successful treatment of incontinence, particularly in regional communities.

“This commitment enables a local solution to be applied to an important health issue across regional areas where there is very limited access to pelvic floor specialists,” Dr Gillespie said.

“This manufacturing facility will be a win not only for local jobs, but also for countless women across regional Australia who’ll have more accessible treatment options for their incontinence.”

The Coalition Government has committed $132.25 million for regional manufacturing projects to boost innovation and jobs in the regions. 

Under the Coalition Government’s Energy Security and Regional Development Plan, this funding targets investments in key manufacturing and economic development projects across regional Australia. 

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said over 30 per cent of Australia’s manufacturing jobs are in regional areas, and that the manufacturing industry is particularly important to regional economies. 

“The Coalition Government is committed to supporting economic growth and jobs in regional areas, including building the manufacturing capability of regional Australia,” Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said. 

“Building a strong regional manufacturing sector is a key priority of the Coalition Government for a stronger, more resilient economy and a stronger future. 

“Only the Coalition Government has a plan for Australians to build a strong and sovereign manufacturing sector for Australians to make more of what we need in Australia.” 

This funding announcement is in addition to the Coalition’s Plan for Manufacturing which includes: 

• $2.5 billion under the Modern Manufacturing Strategy to support manufacturers to scale up, collaborate, commercialise and deliver on the world stage.
• $2.2 billion for a ten-year University Research Commercialisation Action Plan, including $1.6 billion through Australia’s Economic Accelerator, to help Australian research generate new products, new companies and importantly, new jobs, and $362 million under the Trailblazer University program to drive collaboration between industry and universities.

$69 million for a new Sovereign Manufacturing Automation for Composites Cooperative Research Centre to support Australian composite manufacturers to modernise and automate to gain a competitive edge.