Duty MLC for Murray Wes Fang announced funding from the Growing Local Economies fund for the 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 would attract investment to the region, expand the local economy and support the creation of new jobs.
“This project will help Murray region producers 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.
“The abattoir will offer small production runs and multi-species processing, with lower running costs enabled by use of green power and innovative waste management solutions,” he said.
Murray Plains Meat Co-operative chairperson Lauren Mathers said she was “over the moon” at the announcement.
“It’s a huge thing for local farmers to be able to ethically kill their animals locally,” she said.
“I never thought it would attract the support it has from both the local government and on a state level.”
Ms Mathers said the funding would be used for the construction of the abattoir and to get it to an operational standard.
“It’s all systems go now, there’s nothing to hold it back, so hopefully by this time next year we’ll be looking at something physical,” she said.
“We’ll be able to have community consultation once the development application comes through.
“It’s now about making sure everyone understands what a micro abattoir is and how the closed waste system isn’t going to produce any smell or offensive attributes that some people can be upset about.”
MRC Mayor Chris Bilkey welcomed the funding.
“It’s pleasing to see the state government throw their support behind this project, recognising that this is all about supporting local job creation and skills development,” he said.
“The local meat and poultry industry provides significant employment opportunities in Barham and district, so it’s good news that we can now help our producers remain viable through the development of the micro abattoir.”
The announcement brings the total amount of funding awarded by the state and federal governments to the project to $2,125,000.
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