Rocky Ridge Brewing Co receives $400,000 from Coles fund to improve business sustainability and innovation

A Busselton brewery has received a boost in its plans to become the first net zero certified sustainable brewery in the Asia-Pacific region. Rocky Ridge Brewing Co has received $400,000 from the Coles Nurture Fund to help the business reach its goal. It is one of four across the State to benefit from the latest funding round. Founder Hamish Coates said the funding would help the company reduce its environmental impact. “Our brewery operates off-grid using solar and batteries and the (grant) will allow us to upgrade these facilities to support our growth and install a wastewater reuse system, reducing the water consumption by 28 per cent,” he said. “We are farmers in the South West, so we know water is a precious resource and it is our responsibility to use less and do the right thing. “The whole team was in a workshop together when we got the call that we had been awarded the (funding).” More than $1.86 million has been handed out across the State in the latest grants round, which seeks to help small and medium-sized business across the country with innovation and improving sustainability. Manjimup’s Prada Farms also received funding, with the avocado producer being awarded $461,000 to move to a fully electric harvesting system powered by renewable energy. Co-founder Rod Duncan said the grant would help the business move towards a net zero emissions harvesting process. “Prada Farms is incredibly proud to be installing an off-grid solar system to charge electric farming vehicles, electric cherry pickers and a lithium battery powered forklift to help harvest our beautiful avocados,” he said. “It has been a family commitment, with three generations involved — my 90-year-old mum and my daughter. “We are hoping to secure up to six machines ready for the harvesting season in October and, together with our electric buggies and soon-to-be solar powered shed, we are well on our way to harvesting the fruit using a completely electric and low emissions system.” Coles Group chief commercial officer Anna Croft said the recipients were chosen for their industry leading and high-impact projects. “I am excited to watch Prada Farms and Rocky Ridge Brewing Co. bring to life their incredible ideas in their respective industries, demonstrating they are leading the way when it comes to innovation and sustainability,” she said.