Council plans to apply as lead applicant for Federal Government funding through the drought assistance grant scheme, to build a micro-abattoir in Barham on behalf of a co-operative of 19 local meat producers.
If successful, council will become owners and project managers of the proposed abattoir for at least the first five years and lease the business to the co-op.
Cr Weyrich, who aimed to stop the application, said he was ‘disturbed’ because council had ‘no business’ in private business ownership.
“It's not what we do,” he said.
“We are roads, rates and rubbish, why would we buy into an abattoir?”
Cr Geoff Wise defended the plan and said advice from both the NSW department of premier and cabinet and the department of regional development was the council would have more chances of securing the funding than the co-operative of meat producers on their own.
“It's time to think outside of the square,” he said.
“Meat producers in the area can no longer afford to send their meat far distances.”
Cr Gen Campbell said she fully supported Cr Weyrich and money from the drought community fund was not supposed to be used to purchase land, mobile equipment or capital.
“I'm concerned about a misuse of taxpayer funds,” she said.
“I liken it to the sports-rorts scandal.
“Grant money should be in the public arena and the commercial nature of this project means there is information we can't share, so there is just not enough transparency.
“On one hand, we are telling farmers they're out of business, on the other hand we are going into business with meat producers.
“Something is really wrong.”
Deputy mayor Mathers also spoke up in favour of the abattoir.
“The opportunity to create 15 jobs in Barham is too good to miss,” he said.
Cr Weyrich's motion was defeated and the project will continue.