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.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the project, to be built by the Asia Pacific Agri-corp in the Gladstone State Development Area (SDA), will be the first of its kind in Australia.
“Once fully operational this cutting-edge facility will be capable of processing 2,400 head of cattle per day ready to cater for growing demand for Australian beef,” he said.
“The development approval also provides for 95 hectares of solar panels, capable of generating 78 MW of electricity or 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.”
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner said the development stood to benefit local farmers.
“The abattoir, processing, packing and export facility is proposed to incorporate the latest and most advanced technologies used in meat processing plants, including the incorporation of robotic systems,” he said.
“These technologies will enable the Asia Pacific Agri-corp to adopt an innovative paddock to market supply chain arrangements, sourcing cattle directly from farmers and tracing product to the market.”
Read the full release at http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/9/28/hightech-abattoir-powered-by-renewables-to-deliver-gladstone-jobs
Image by Aerial Media Gladstone