Abattoir sale a ‘disappointment’ – Coulton

Happier days – CAPRA director George Tanos (centre) on the abattoir construction site with other directors, Bourke Mayor Barry Hollman and local Federal Member Mark Coulton. PHOTO TWH

The funding of the North Bourke abattoir was not a waste of taxpayer money and there was still opportunity for it to be an employer in the region according to Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton.

Expressions of interest have been called for the $60 million facility which did not ever reach full operational capacity and is now not processing animals at all.

The business has been advertised as a ‘state of the art small stock abattoir’ and is being offered for sale under instructions from CAPRA Developments through CBRE Agribusiness and LAWD.

Mr Coulton is Assistant Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government and in all those capacities said he saw good reason to back the project.

Mr Coulton said he had no regrets but was disappointed the meatworks was now on the market. He was instrumental in securing a $10 million grant for the Bourke Shire Council to help build infrastructure for the plant which promised up to 200 jobs for local people.

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