Beef plant on way

PLANS for a $ 100 million beef processing facility at Hughenden are a step closer after the signing of a development deed by stakeholders.

Representatives of Chinese investment group CNVMIG ( Aust), Flinders Shire Council and NorthBEEF Inc signed the deed, witnessed by the People’s Republic of China consulate and Austrade officials, in Brisbane this week.

Mayor Jane McNamara said the deed was a further milestone in a developing relationship between the parties and confirmed their commitment to es- tablishing the facility at Hughenden, expected to be completed in two years.

Cr McNamara said the parties would work together over the next 12 months to address conditions relating to the development.

Cr McNamara and NorthBEEF chairman Rob Atkinson visited China last year to meet with the investment group and its chairman Xinning Wang.

“The trip to China was the pivotal point for the processing plant as Rob and I were able to see first hand the commitment of the group to the Hughenden project and to form relationships with the partners of CNVMIG ( Aust),” Cr McNamara said

She said CNVMIG ( Aust) was now in the process of meeting legislative requirements, working on construction designs and making applications to the Foreign Investment Review Board.

The proposal is for the company to take all products from the facility, for NorthBEEF to secure cattle and for the council to finalise land requirements, power, water and road access.

NorthBEEF chairman Rob Atkinson said the project offered many advantages.

“It will increase competition and producer returns, create employment and economic growth, allow better animal welfare outcomes, give beef pro- ducers drought mitigation opportunities and reverse ( the population decline) in our outback towns and rural communities,” he said.

When fully commissioned, the plant is expected to process 180,000 head a year and employ 250 people.

“That’s quite a sizeable plant. I’d imagine there wouldn’t be much change out of ( a) $ 100 million ( investment), something around there,” Mr Atkinson said.

The facility would include a feedlot with the processing plant dividing carcasses into six portions before snap freezing and exporting from the Port of Townsville.