The Guyra & District Chamber of Commerce has given in-principle approval to building a sustainable abattoir.
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The New England Innovation & Development Pty Ltd propose building a solar-powered sheep and goat abattoir facility in Falconer Road, on 100 acres near the site of the old abattoir.
“The proposal once implemented will greatly benefit the Guyra community,” Chamber of Commerce president Aileen MacDonald said.
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The chamber believes the abattoir will create jobs, develop regional infrastructure, create a demand for town retail and commercial services, and increase population.
It will be built and staffed using local labour, which is expected to create 100 jobs. Solar power will save expenses, and the company hopes to have enough energy for other industries to use.
The facility will also use the latest technologies to eliminate odours and recycle wastewater.
It is also expected to run on a “Paddock to Plate” system, so a local butcher can select stock from a farm to be processed.
Full approval may be given once the company has addressed how they will manage wastes and effluents, stormwater, dust, fuel emissions and greenhouse gases, and disease and noise controls.
Completion is still distant, however, as New England Innovation & Development are trying to attract investors.
The previous abattoir in Guyra closed in the mid 1990s, which saw 350 jobs lost.
In other business, the chamber has decided to hold a “Passion on the Platform” at the railway station in September, after the success of the annual “Passion in Peonies” lunch at the Flower Farm.
The chamber also supported proposals to regenerate the Mother of Ducks Lagoon, and turn it into a tourism hotspot with waling trails, and for the Guyra Historical Museum’s funding application for refurbishment.
The chamber will also develop a sub-committee to beautify the area near the Guyra “cockatoo” sign.
The next meeting will be held in May, after the federal budget, with a local accountant as guest speaker to provide insight.