High-tech abattoir powered by renewable energy to deliver Gladstone jobs

28 Sep High-tech abattoir powered by renewable energy to deliver Gladstone jobs

FAST FACTS –

• A high-tech abattoir in Gladstone is set to deliver 308 construction and 335 operational jobs after Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General approved the development application for Asia Pacific Agri-Corp’s $308 million project.
• The project will be built by Asia Pacific Agri-Corp in the Gladstone State Development Area (SDA) off Mount Larcom Road. It will be the first of its kind in Australia.
• Once operational the facility will be able to process 2400 head of cattle per day.
• Development approval also provides for 95 hectares of solar panels capable of providing almost one-third of the sites total electricity needs.
• A further energy efficiency measure includes the development of an on-site 33MW hydrogen plant to service the abattoir’s boiler.
• The development will provide massive job increases for labourers in the Gladstone region by providing employment to dozens of non-trade occupations such as cattle workers, forklift drivers, and other processing workers.
• The development will also provide jobs for administrative workers and will offer export trade employment and training.
• Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General has placed 29 strict conditions on the project ensuring adverse emissions, such as noise, dust and odour will not affect residents.
• Earlier this year the Coordinator-General conducted community consultation on the proposed project that was fully supported by the Gladstone Regional Council.
• The heritage listed 98 year old homestead located on the site will be renovated and restored to its former glory and will house the administration offices for the facility.
• The facility will be located out of sight from the Mt Larcom Road.

The next step…

• Asia Pacific Agri-Corp will next undertake detailed design prior to starting construction.
• Some secondary approvals are required for the project to commence, including approval for operational works by Gladstone Regional Council and Environmental Authority permits from the Department of Environment and Science for the meat processing and irrigation activities onsite.
• Construction is expected to commence around May 2019 subject to subsequent approvals and is anticipated to be operational by 2021.