High-tech abattoir powered by renewables to deliver Gladstone jobs
12 October 2018
Queensland Government:
A high-tech abattoir in Gladstone is set to
deliver 308 construction and 335 operational jobs after
Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General
approved the
development application for Asia Pacific Agri-Corp’s $308 million
project.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and
Planning Cameron Dick said the project, to be built by the Asia Pacific
Agri-corp in the Gladstone State Development Area (SDA), will be the
first of its kind in Australia.
“Once fully operational this cutting-edge
facility will be capable of
processing 2,400 head of cattle per day ready to cater for growing
demand for Australian beef,” he said.
“The development approval also provides for 95 hectares of
solar panels,
capable of generating 78 MW of
electricity or almost one third of the
sites total electricity needs.
“A further
energy efficiency measure includes the development of an
on-site 33MW hydrogen plant to service the abattoir’s boiler.”
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner said the
development stood to benefit local farmers.
“The abattoir, processing, packing and export facility is proposed to
incorporate the latest and most advanced technologies used in meat
processing plants, including the incorporation of robotic systems,” he
said.
“These technologies will enable the Asia Pacific Agri-corp to adopt an
innovative paddock to market supply chain arrangements, sourcing cattle
directly from farmers and tracing product to the market.”
Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the facility will make its way
through the Port of Gladstone to international markets enhancing
Gladstone’s reputation as a place to do business.
“The Gladstone State Development Area supports economic development in a
very efficient and environmentally sustainable way by co-locating
industries together and making better use of infrastructure,” he said.
“Equally as vital is the fact that this development will open up massive
job increases for labourers in the Gladstone region by providing
employment to dozens of non-trade occupations such as cattle workers,
fork lift drivers, and other processing workers.
“The development will also open up positions for administrative workers,
and will offer export trade employment and training, and it is overall
an extraordinary opportunity for Gladstone workers.”
Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General has placed 29 strict
conditions on the project ensuring adverse emissions, such as noise,
dust and odour will not affect residents.
Asia Pacific Agri-Corp will next undertake detailed design prior to
starting construction.
“A key advantage of an SDA is to promote economic development and growth
adjacent to ports and around good transport facilities, such as major
road and rail networks,” Mr Dick said.
“Earlier this year the Coordinator-General conducted community
consultation on the proposed project that was fully supported by the
Gladstone Regional Council.
“Some secondary approvals are required for the project to commence,
including approval for operational works by Gladstone Regional Council
and Environmental Authority permits from the Department of
Environment and Science for the meat processing and irrigation
activities onsite.”
Construction is expected to commence around May 2019 subject to
subsequent approvals and is anticipated to be operational by 2021.
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Media contact: Anika Hume 0447 320 039
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