$28M project to beef up CQ jobs

The boutique $27.9m development is expected to create more than 80 new jobs

The proposed meatworks and workers' camp at Sondella Station

FUNDING has been approved for a family-owned pastoral company to start a new boutique abattoir near Moranbah.

With support secured from the State Government’s $175 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund, Signature OnFarm, part of the Angus Pastoral Company, will build a $27.9 million abattoir on its ‘Sondella’ Station 125 kilometres northwest of Moranbah, creating more than 80 new jobs.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the “state-of-the-art, small-scale facility” would be export accredited and capable of servicing up to 200 head of cattle a day when fully operational.

“Due to the property’s relatively remote location, the on-farm abattoir project will also include the construction of a worker’s village to cater for up to 70 employees including abattoir workers and other support staff,” he said.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said the abattoir would provide a jobs boost to the region.

“It’s fantastic to see an innovative enterprise like Angus Pastoral Company expand in this way,” she said.

The Angus Pastoral Company is a privately-owned, fourth generation cattle breeding operation which dates back to 1960.

Co-owner Blair Angus said the on-farm facility will eliminate the need for live cattle to be transported interstate for specialist processing services some 1250 kilometres away.

Construction is expected to take about 13 months.

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