A new project that will provide graziers with an alternative path to market for their cattle in Hughenden, was granted Major Project Status by the Australian Government yesterday (Wednesday November 8).
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The Hughenden meat processing plant will see Chinese investment group, CNVM Investment Pty Ltd, invest over $100 million to develop an integrated processing plant and feedlot in Hughenden.
With Federal Major Project Status, they will now receive help coordinating Commonwealth approvals for the project.
The project, also supported by the Flinders Shire Council and North BEEF, will be developed on more than 900 hectares of land and have the capacity to process around 180,000 head of cattle per year and frozen meat to be exported to the Asia-Pacific region.
Flinders Shire Council Mayor, Jane McNamara, said this was an exciting time for the region.
“Flinders Shire Council provided a letter of support for the Major Project Status application but most of the work has been done by our investors CNVM to obtain this status,” Cr McNamara said.
“This Major Project Status will assist with licenses for the business side of the project and help us to move through more hoops of planning and developing the project.
“It will help with the pending approvals from the Chinese Government and negotiations between the Chinese and Australian governments. It will also bring us closer to the Financial Investment Decision.”
Cr McNamara said once all the approvals were received the funding could be released and move into the second part of the development deed, funding and construction.
“The next steps for council is to work with the Queensland government to get project of regional significance. This would assist with environmental applications, planning applications and access to water.
“I (Jane) will also attend the Chinese Overseas Investment Fair (COIFAIR) next Sunday in Beijing to host a booth and promote north west Queensland, MITEZ, Flinders Shire Council and the meat processing plant.”
Read more:
- Government approves Hughenden meat processing plant: July 10, 2017
- Hughenden beef facility sign development deed: April 27, 2017
- Investment group takes on meat processing plant: March 5, 2017
- Chinese abattoir backer invites NorthBEEF and Flinders shire to tour facilities: November 10, 2016
- Hughenden beef works plans progress: March 3, 2016
- Hughenden meatworks proposal gathering steam: February 15, 2016