It might have taken seven years to come to fruition, but finally the micro abattoir at Barham is about to kick off after recently passing a poultry processing audit.
A dedicated board has been pushing hard for the last 18 months to get the abattoir over the line, passing the poultry audit allows them to finally open the doors.
Board member Lindsay Schultz said it was an exciting time for business and for the community.
“We have passed the audit to process chickens and we just need to do the same with red meat,” Mr Schultz said.
“We are looking for someone to jump on board and get into the role, or if we have to train somebody up, we are happy to provide the resources to get the training done.”
The abattoir was built to process chickens, beef, lamb, goats and pigs and was the brainchild of the Murray Plains Meat Co-operative and supports the whole paddock to plate ethos.
Board member Leigh Fletcher said they were in the process of acquiring staff.
Starting processing with poultry gets the doors open.
“We know of three businesses operating in the region already looking to get their poultry processed,” Mr Fletcher said.
“When we move into red meat we will be able to provide even greater opportunity for local producers and the business.”
He said consumers wanted to know where their food came from and the paddock to plate story would form an important part for the future of niche and smaller producers.
“Consumers are becoming more savvy and are happy to pay a bit more for a premium product and a smaller facility and a stress free environment are an important part of that process,” he said.
Murray River Council was awarded $2.2 million in state and federal funding on behalf of the co-operative, making council project manager and subsequent owner of the facility.
“MPMC will take over ownership of the facility sometime in the future,” Mr Fletcher said.
MRC community economic development director Sarah Ryan has welcomed the news the facility can begin processing.
“While it has been a lengthy process to ensure all checks and balances are in place, it is exciting to now see the project come to life,” Ms Ryan said.
“The local meat and poultry industry provides significant employment opportunities in Barham and district, so we look forward to the ongoing success of this transformative projects and its contribution to the economic growth of the region.”
MPMC has 36 shareholders who contributed financially to getting the project off the ground, a dedicated board will now take it forward and into the future.