Beef producers from across a 700 kilometre catchment of the North West were among the 200-300 people who attended a stakeholder briefing at Hughenden by Flinders Shire Council, North Beef and DSCY (Australia) Investments Pty Ltd to hear more about plans for a meat processing facility.
NorthBeef Chair, Rob Atkinson opened the meeting and introduced Mr Xinning Wang Chairman of DSCY and his daughter, Miao who is also a director of their company and acted as interpreter to explain DSCY’s plans for a Hughenden based operation.
Mayor Greg Jones explained the work undertaken by Flinders Shire to assist an investor to establish a meatworks such as providing suitable land, road access to the site and access to water and electricity. Cr Jones also explained how Flinders Shire had received in-principle support from both the State and Commonwealth Governments. Council is also working on plans to provide as much local labour mas possible and exploring opportunities to up-skill potential workers in the region through suitable training.
Rob Atkinson explained the arrangements between the meatworks operator, (DSCY) and beef producers, and how it was import to provide an un-interrupted supply of cattle for 46 weeks of the year, processing up to 180,000 head of cattle per year.
Individual producers would not have to negotiate individual contracts NorthBeef would negotiate pricing on behalf of its members with cattle prices set 3-4 months in advance.
During April NorthBeef and representatives from DSCY will undertake an extensive tour across the catchment area to sign-up producers to support the meatworks by agreeing to supply cattle.
Following the meeting, Mr Wang was taken on a tour of the proposed meatworks site.