Abattoir jobs boost
A $1.2 million state government funding boost is expected to create more than 70 new full time jobs at a Trafalgar abattoir.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the funding package at Victoria Valley Meat Exports on Thursday, saying the $1.2 million abattoir expansion would boost jobs and generate up to $54 million in additional exports per year.
The project also is expected to create 85 indirect jobs for the area.
Victoria Valley Meat Exports part owner Peter Polovinka welcomed the funding announcement, saying the expansion would enable the business to more than double the cattle processed at the facility each week from 600 to 1200 head.
Mr Polovinka said the expansion would provide another market for Gippsland beef producers.
“We are value adding to the meatworks so that every part of the animal can be used. Offal, hearts, kidney, livers – rather than throwing it out we will be exporting these meat products,” he said.
Mr Polovinka said the expansion aimed to allow them to introduce an afternoon shift which would double their staff capacity.
Member for Eastern Victoria Region Harriet Shing said the new owners had developed a robust operation for export markets.
She said the facility boasted state of the art killing floor, boning rooms and chill rooms but was limited in size to allow two shifts to operate.
“This will assist them to process more numbers and employ extra staff. “They are making sure we have a better capacity to send Gippsland beef off to market… including premium and niche markets in Japan, Europe and Russia.
“It is really great that we can send Gippsland product around the world.
Ms Shing said Victoria Valley Meat Export owners had done a “power of work” to redevelop the former Giles Abattoir into a robust operation that was a diversified workforce with many women employed at the facility.
“They are making the most of every part of the animal. We are pleased to be helping them to invest and create more employment,” she said.
Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan said “Victoria Valley Meats is the first of many projects in the pipeline that will help grow the Latrobe Valley economy, and create local jobs.”
Mr Andrews said the funding was the first project being funded from the government’s new Latrobe Valley Economic Facilitation Fund, which will support job creation as part of its $40 million Latrobe Valley Economic Development Program.
He said the fund was focused on fast-tracking projects that help existing companies grow and reach their full potential, as well as attracting new investment into the valley.
“The Labor Government will never abandon the Latrobe Valley and we’ll continue to work closely with locals to create jobs and secure the economic future that these communities rightly deserve.”