Longreach abattoir to reopen in Qld

The Queensland Government will proceed with a plan to revitalise the abattoir on the site of the former Longreach Pastoral College, to bring skills and employment back to the area. In 2019, businesses, organisations and individuals were invited to make submissions on the future use of the Queensland Agricultural Training College facilities in Longreach.

“Since then, the QATC Transition Project Management Office (PMO) has been assessing a range of proposals on how to best repurpose facilities with commercially sustainable future uses for college assets. The Marks family, Longreach locals, have submitted a plan to recommission the abattoir facilities on the campus area for incorporation into their local business. They run Savages Butchery in town and this new venture will complement that operation,” said Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries.

The immediate plans are to process local cattle and sheep, which will help to keep prices down for local customers, while giving local producers the option of sending stock to be processed.

“The Marks are hoping to expand the operation in the future to process goats as well as pigs, and take on more staff. Bringing a valuable local asset back into use like this is just the kind of projects we want to see arise out of this process. It supports local business and local jobs,” Furner said.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has entered into a two-year agreement with the Marks to occupy and develop the site with its abattoir facilities and holding yards, with all required licences through Safe Food Production Queensland in place.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Kzenon