Drought and rain force meatworks closure

The North Bourke abattoir has temporarily ceased processing goats, with all workers but a core of essential staff, laid off.
Spokesman for Capra Developments and Darling River Goat Exports James Price said it was unfortunate that workers had lost employment and accepted how important the abattoir was to Bourke but said the business was operating in ‘extraordinary times’.
Mr Price said the intention was for the meatworks to continue processing goats, but recent rain and the prolonged drought had had a heavy impact on operations.
“Bourke and communities throughout far west NSW and southern Queensland have been experiencing the worst drought in living memory,” Mr Price said.
Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.