Murray region producers without ready access to a local abattoir will soon be able to process their livestock at a new state-of-the-art micro-abattoir facility, thanks to the NSW Nationals in the state government.
NSW Nationals Duty MLC for Murray Wes Fang has announced $1.3 million to Murray River Council from the Growing Local Economies fund for a purpose-built Micro Abattoir facility at Barham, which will allow small producers to get their produce from paddock to plate.
Mr Fang said the new facility will service pork, lamb, beef, chicken and goat producers in southern NSW, reducing costs for operators who will no longer have to transport their stock up to 200km to Victorian abattoirs.
“This project will help Murray region producers operate more effectively and efficiently by reducing transport costs and animal stress, resulting in high-quality farm gate products that can be sold to boutique butchers and high-end restaurants,” Mr Fang said.
“Farmers will have greater control of how their produce is processed as the abattoir will offer small production runs and multi-species processing, with lower running costs enabled by the use of green power and innovative waste management solutions.
“Delivering this vital facility will provide agribusinesses with new opportunities, attract investment to the region, expand the local economy and directly support the creation of new jobs, which will benefit young people looking for work.”
The $500 million Growing Local Economies Fund is delivering the infrastructure the industries of regional NSW need to improve productivity, expand business operations and boost employment.
“This project is exactly what the Growing Local Economies fund is intended to deliver, and I thank the Murray River Council and the Murray Plains Meat Cooperative for their commitment to this project and look forward to seeing the economic benefits it will produce,” Mr Fang said.
The Growing Local Economies Fund is part of the NSW Nationals in the state government’s commitment to the delivery of infrastructure projects which improve the economic growth and productivity of the state under Restart NSW.
For more information, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/regionalgrowth
