Meat processing site creates 650 jobs in Qld

Hilton Foods Australia (HFA) has unveiled its $280 million meat production facility in Heathwood, Queensland. The facility will produce finished fresh meat products for over 450 Woolworths stores across Northern New South Wales and Far North Queensland.

The technology being used at the Heathwood facility is expected to drive a step change in the consistency and quality of fresh red meat and improve stock availability. The facility will deliver over 1500 tonnes of fresh red meat to Woolworths stores each week, alongside HFA’s existing meat processing facilities in Melbourne and Perth.

The investment is expected to provide employment to around 650 Queenslanders. Workers at the facility will operate robotics and use 23 production lines to provide packaged meat and vegan products.

“Our government is pleased to have worked with Hilton Foods Australia to help facilitate the move, and we welcome the jobs that have come with it. Brisbane’s central location, excellent transport network and Queensland’s highly trained workforce were all factors in Hilton Foods Australia’s decision to bring their operations to Heathwood,” said Cameron Dick, Queensland Minister for State Development and Manufacturing.

The facility features a large photovoltaic solar installation on the rooftop, consisting of 6000 solar panels, which will provide approximately 50% of the site’s energy needs. An energy management system of valves, controls and meters will save further baseline energy demand.

HFA’s solar installation at the facility will generate 2800 MWh per annum. Heat will be harnessed from the facility’s refrigeration compressors, with an automated heat recovery system that will heat 100,000 litres of water a day, saving 170 MWh of energy a year.

“We are proud to be joining the local community in Heathwood and contributing to economic growth with new employment opportunities and service contracts. We also wish to acknowledge and thank both the Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government for their support in commissioning our Heathwood site,” said Hilton Foods Australia CEO Pat McEntee.