Part of the KAP’s three-tier policy structure to combat poor economic conditions brought on by drought was to give mid-west Queensland towns quartering works in Cloncurry, Richmond, Julia Creek and Normanton. 

This could provide up to 70 workers for each quartering works. 

This was not the same facility as a large scale abattoir that towns such as Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Hughenden were competing for.

“(They) might decide to ramp up to full abbattoirs, it’s open to them,” Mr Katter said. 

Mr Katter said Charters Towers or Mareeba were more suited to the finishing works due to cattle that could be obtained there consistently throughout the year. 

This was the third step of a KAP plan intended for the Carpentaria Gulf and mid-west industries. 

The first part was to allow every owner and operator landholder 200 hectares of irrigation rights, and to allow small blocks rights to irrigation as well. 

Mr Katter said allocations divided by the former LNP government had been given to giant cattle stations at the mouth of the larger rivers such as the Flinders. 

“Clearly water rights can’t be given where the water doesn’t exist so any allocation would be limited to existing resources,” the KAP policy said. 

The second step targeted Karumba’s live export facilitation program, which urged for 30 blocks the size of 1500 hectares to be used along the Coleman, Mitchell, Staten and Gilbert Rivers. 

These blocks could be used to develop Karumba’s port, potentially for fodder for cattle and to support small farmers. 

The port itself was in shallow water but the cattle could leave by barge onto larger ships out to sea, a method copied by MMG’s zinc operations, Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter said federal government funding was not necessary for these policies but government guarantees may be needed.