A BUYER has been found for Trafalgar’s L.E. Giles & Son abattoir, raising hopes for new jobs in the region and easier access to abattoir services for local meat producers.
Summary
- A buyer has been found for the abattoir
- Export expansion possible
- Jobs and easy access to abattoir services set to return
Baw Baw Shire mayor Murray Cook announced the sale in a rare usage of his Mayoral Minute at last week’s council meeting.
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“I have been on the phone to the Giles family. I can announce the abattoir has been sold and will continue on as a viable slaughter yard,” Cr Cook said.
“It’s not just the 30 jobs that it will start again in Trafalgar, but it’s also the small stock people in the area [who need animals slaughtered].
The closure of the abattoir has “just been one hell of a hiccup in our local agricultural pursuits.
Murray Cook
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“The community of Trafalgar… will see the extra just under a million dollars in wages to flow back into the community.”
The abattoir closed after allegations of animal cruelty were made in November 2011.
Narracan MP Gary Blackwood told The Warragul Citizen last week the state government would assist the abattoir in seeking business development grants if asked, especially given a possible expansion into export markets.
“There is a need from industry in the area for the abattoirs to be located here in Trafalgar, it’s closer to a lot of people,” Mr Blackwood said.
“I’m not sure how many [jobs] will be reinstated but certainly given what I’m hearing, that the new people are keen on exploring export opportunities, from a state government point of view we’d be happy to work with them on that if they need some assistance in that process.
Gary Blackwood
“The Latrobe Valley Industry and Infrastructure fund is one such fund that they may be able to access depending on their business case, but certainly there are opportunities for them to explore and we will assist them with that process.
“The important thing is if we can get the 30 jobs back that we did lose, and more in the future it will be a great outcome in the future.”
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The impact of the closure was greater for many small meat producers which had to contend with increased costs and inconvenience in taking animals for slaughter further afield.
This is excellent news and I am very pleased for the Giles family. It never should have been closed in the first place.