Oura Riverina Protection objects to Okeview Pastoral’s abattoir proposal

Concerns of odour, smell, noise and river contamination have been raised by a Riverina community group in opposition to a $10.9m abattoir proposal near Wagga.

Community group Oura Riverine Protection are fighting against a controversial $10.9m boutique abattoir which has been proposed outside of Wagga. Picture: Contributed

A community group has expressed concerns at the proposal of a multimillion “boutique” abattoir outside of Wagga, claiming it will put the local ecosystem and environment at risk.

Okeview Pastoral Company’s Eringoarrah Pty Ltd is currently awaiting feedback from Wagga Council after proposing a $10.9m livestock processing facility and electrical building for Oura, 20 minutes east of Wagga.

Development documents say the proposed facility would employ 10 full time workers and two part time workers during its operation which would produce 798 tonnes of meat per year.

The developer stated in its application the abattoir would be complemented by their farm already on site, and would walk the cattle from their property to the facility.

Documents stated jobs will be created through its construction and operation phases and will have “minimal potential for conflict” with surrounding rural land.

Renders of the proposed abattoir. Picture: Contributed

Oura Riverina Protection spokesman Tom Kelsall disagreed, and stated the project was proposed on a flood sensitive and groundwater vulnerable site.

“We’re not opposed to an abattoir and the kind they want to build, however we think the proposed site in completely inappropriate,” Mr Kelsall said.

Murrumbidgee River at Oura Beach. Picture: Contributed

What the abattoir will look like if it is approved. Picture: Contributed

“It’s primarily for environmental reasons, as the Murrumbidgee River and countryside around Oura is the lifeblood of Oura.”

The spokesman said Oura was regularly used by the community for outdoor communities and was an “absolute joy” for those in the area.

Mr Kelsall said the group believed there was a “lack of consideration” to where the abattoir would be placed on the large property.

He said a “identical site” with the same infrastructure could be used further along on the Errongoarrah Homestead away from neighbours, with the abattoir having the risks of “odour, noise, traffic and dust”.

Community group Oura Riverine Protection object to the processing facility. Picture: Contributed

The spokesman alleged there could be “industrial contamination risk” if the Riverina water system from the feedlot and “solar factory” on site. He also alleged it would also contribute to erosion and flooding.

Mr Kelsall said the group believe it would be the “beginning of the end of the industrialisation of Oura”.

They suggested alternatives to the proposal which included building on a more appropriate site on their property, in the Bomen industrial precinct in Wagga or even mobile stock processing.

Okeview Pastoral’s chief operating officer Adam Brayshaw said there would be no feedlot on the property, with the animals to be grass fed.

Mr Brayshaw said his they submitted their application in accordance with environmental assessment requirements, with all reports predicting “no adverse impacts” on the surrounding locality.

Mr Brayshaw said one of the driving forces of their project was to provide quality of life to their animals, which wouldn’t align to transporting them to the Bomen precinct in Wagga.

A bird’s eye view of the property.

The environment at Oura. Picture: Contributed

The chief executive said their processing facility was the “most appropriate” option for their operations due to employee and food safety, waste management, animal welfare and operational efficiency.

“We have undertaken significant community consultation over the past two years and the majority of our neighbours and nearby residents have been extremely supportive of our proposed project,” he said.

“We have been aware of the specific concerns of one neighbour and the group he has formed for several months.”

Mr Brayshaw said when council place their document on public exhibition, he believed the group’s fears would be allayed, saying noise and air quality reports “raise no concerns”, while odour will be no issue as they have no intention of “rendering on site”.