From weddings to hand sanitiser production, helping to keep up with demand

The team at Preston Peak Winery Function Centre have developed a new product a bit different to their usual offering, adapting with COVID-19 restrictions and challenges.

After support and research from Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) and the State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDMIP), Preston Peak are developing hand sanitiser labelled Clean Hands QLD.

They are creating 20 litre drums of the product, and will shortly be adapting to sell 5 litre and 500ml containers.

Clean Hands QLD is an example of how a local business can pivot their business to keep up with current demands of the health industry and develop something with existing equipment and materials.

Currently, there is high demand for hand sanitiser in Australia’s health care system and hospital networks – particularly in rural and regional parts of the country.

A number of health organisations around Toowoomba are  using the product, including Darling Downs Health (DDH).

Darling Downs Health Chief Executive Dr Peter Gillies said it was great to see a local business adjusting to life with COVID-19.

“This has certainly been an unprecedented time and has presented challenges that we’ve never seen before,” he said.

“Hand sanitiser has been in high demand and it’s great to know there are local sources available should we need to replenish quickly.”

The Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has cut the red tape on the manufacturing of hand sanitiser, whilst maintaining strict safety requirements, to bolster supply in Australia.

This support has led to new regional employment and also provided a regional supply of medical grade hand sanitiser to support the local demands of regional Queensland.

Supplies have also been provided locally to St Andrews Hospital Toowoomba and the Platinum Health Group.

TSBE Health General Manager Jaden Frame said it was great to be able to connect businesses to support the community with this much needed product.

While washing hands with soap is considered to be the most effective way to practice good hand hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitisers can play an important role in keeping hands as free from harmful microorganisms as possible.