NAIF beefs up Central Queensland jobs and agriculture

Queensland’s Signature Onfarm Pty Ltd has been approved for a NAIF loan of up to $25 million to build a new beef processing facility near Clermont.

 

This the first NAIF loan delivered for a Central Queensland project, with up to 200 full-time jobs expected to be created during construction and 70 full time jobs during operations.

 

The NAIF loan will help pay for construction of the processing facility, 440-head capacity chillers, value-adding capability for portioned and ready meals, waste water infrastructure, access roads and accommodation for up to 70 workers. The state-of-the-art facility will be able to process 50,000 head of cattle each year, giving Bowen Basin graziers new opportunities for beef sales, slaughter and marketing into domestic and international markets.

 

It is expected to deliver more than $60 million broader economic benefits to the community over 20 years, including savings in transport costs for graziers and the availability of service processing for third party processors.

 

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan said the government’s investment would support the creation of more jobs and economic activity in Central Queensland.

 

“The Liberal Nationals Government has now invested more than $1.4 billion in loans to 14 projects across northern Australia, including $781 million for Queensland projects,” Minister Canavan said.

 

“Michelle Landry has been a fierce advocate for the project and today, she has delivered in spades for Central Queensland. Locking in hundreds of new jobs and value-adding to local beef product adds some real firepower to the region’s agricultural activity, helps diversify the economy and is an enormous boost to local job prospects.

 

“This facility will also help increase competition in beef processing and that will help all graziers get a better deal.”

 

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said a new beef processing facility in Central Queensland would save the region’s graziers time and money.

 

“Every dollar of this NAIF loan is an investment in local families and communities. These funds will spur further investment and be a real help for our graziers in terms of opening up new domestic and export markets for our top quality Central Queensland beef. This beef processing facility will be a one of a kind and will be integral in providing domestic and export markets with products that meet modern day consumer tastes,” Ms Landry said.

 

Signature Onfarm owner Blair Angus said the facility would support the region’s beef producers and generate economic spinoffs throughout the region.

 

“This project is about delivering returns to farm gate, jobs to the bush and delivering bespoke products to consumers. Producers in our region have invested a lot in the quality of their herds and a boutique facility like this aims to maximise the potential and value of each and every one of those individual carcasses,” Mr Angus said.

 

“We appreciate the tremendous support of the Federal Government, particularly Michelle Landry and Minister Canavan, in assisting to bring this project to the world’s best bullock paddock.”

 

Construction is expected to start before the end of the year and take around 13 months to complete. Full capacity should be reached within 18 months of completion.