General News
16 September, 2025
Premier opens Lakeland exotic mushroom facility
PREMIER David Crisafulli travelled to Lakeland last week to open the largest state-of-the-art exotic mushroom facility in the southern hemisphere.
The Inderbitzin family developed and built the 9,600-sqm, climate-controlled facility at Red Valley which was officially opened by the Premier and Member for Cook David Kempton.
The facility produces around two tonnes of exotic mushrooms each week, supplying major cities including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
At the official opening, Mr Crisafulli thanked the Inderbitzin family for their contribution to Queensland in bringing innovation to the region.
“That’s why I wanted to come today. On behalf of David (Kempton) and me, thank you for your investment,” he said.
“To see what you’ve invested here is an incredible leap of faith in a new industry, one that’s not your background and ladies and gentlemen, we officially declare Red Valley Mushroom Facility open.”
Mr Kempton shared his connection with the family and the impact for the region.
“I have followed this family for two generations as it has brought new technology, investment and creativity to one of Queensland’s richest farming areas,” he said.
“It is wonderful to see this facility come to fruition as it is the beginning of an incredible opportunity for this region when sufficient water is made available.”
Varieties grown at the new facility include white oysters, silver oysters, King oysters, shiitake, and shimeji – all cultivated using advanced Swiss technology to ensure optimal quality and consistency.
“Exotic mushrooms present an exciting opportunity for Red Valley, not only because of their incredible health benefits but also because they are a crop we can control and consistently deliver to Australian consumers,” business development manager Derek Pregl said.
“We are proud to be growing clean, healthy produce that is truly Australian – and to be leading the industry with this facility.”
The development of the mushroom farm has been a significant journey for the Inderbitzin family.
“Our family has been part of the Lakeland community for over 35 years, and the inspiration for this venture came from a visit to a high-tech mushroom facility in Switzerland,” general manager Peter Inderbitzin Jnr said.
“The project involved three years of planning, one year of construction, and two years of production before reaching its current stage.
“We are now operating at 25% capacity, producing more than two tonnes of mushrooms each week.”
Red Valley Mushroom facility currently employs 20 full-time staff members at the Lakeland site and a total of 155 people across its farms, which also include banana, avocado, compost production, and cattle operations.
The company is now in the final stages of achieving full organic certification, strengthening its position against imported mushrooms from South Korea and China.
The farm, spanning just under one hectare, is fully climate-controlled with advanced systems regulating CO2, temperature, and humidity. It incorporates 15,500 square metres of cauldron panel and features a specialised sterilisation machine imported from Europe, which is critical to maintaining their high production standards.
Red Valley’s mushroom expansion follows years of vision and investment from its founders, Peter and Franziska Inderbitzin, who are now transitioning into retirement.
“It’s a proud achievement for us, and even more meaningful knowing it creates opportunities for our children and future generations and employment for the region,” Peter Inderbitzin said.
