Coonabarabran abattoir is located between Coonabarabran and Binnaway. It has a varied past processing many types of stock. A domestic processor it was purchased by a Chinese group in late 2014 to close permanently in 2016.
Other Names
- Binnaway abattoir
- Deringula abattoir
Current Operation
- Closed November 2012.2
Location
- Coonabarabran is located 180km West of Tamworth. Or about 600km NW of Sydney.
Hema Maps – Australia Handy map 9th edition
Owner
- Chillana Pty Ltd – Trading as Bunganbah Meats1
- Owner – Beres Lang2
- Owner of actual plant – Warren Sciffleet2
Operation
- Only three species abattoir in region2,
- Located west of great dividing range to provide service kill for local butchers2
- Processed cattle, lamb and Pigs2
Figure 1. Area shaded is area that had been serviced by the Coonabarabran abattoir at time of closure 2012
Map – Hema – Australia Handy Map. 9th Edition
History
2008
- August. Effluent pollution occured over 7 days – convicted in 2010.1
- Underground pipe in treatment works ruptured causing untreated effluent to escape under pressure and pollute Salty Creek.1
- Creek turned red and froth with animal fat on the surface1
- Cleanup included 4 truck loads of fat and contaminated material.1
- Creek was rendered toxic to aquatic life for a short period of time.1
- Pollution incident was only discovered by chance – need to implement checking mechanisms and ability to detect problems1
2010
- December. Ordered to pay $60,000 towards environmental program after being convicted of polluting a creek with untreated effluent1
- also ordered to pay Department of Environment investigation costs $16,000 and all legal costs.1
2012
- January. Warrumbungle shire council approve a year’s trial allowing b-double trucks to use Binnaway to Coonabarabran road3.
- Previously the 15km had been prohibited use by trucks3
- Made access to the abattoir located on this road difficult3
- previously the trucks had to travel an extra 45km to reach the abattoir3.
- Coonabarabran abattoir employed 30 people7.
- Multi-species works, processing sheep, cattle and pigs7
- In the past had also processed emus, water buffalo, deer and goats7
- Multi-species works, processing sheep, cattle and pigs7
- November. Abattoir officially closed and administrator appointed.2
- 30 people laid off2
- Owner hoped to sell business in next few months2
- Reason for closure cited as2
-
- $190,000 fine from Environment protection authority – which business never recovered.2
- Owner – Mr Lang diagnosed with leukaemia and unable to work2
- Is an interested buyer in facilities2
- Local butchers who service killed at Coonabarabran would have to buy wholesale off larger abattoirs – none of who do service kill. No notice given to butchers of closure2
- Other abattoirs in region who would have to supply butchers.2
- Scone – Primo
- Teys
- T&R pastoral
- closest – Eversons Wholesalers Frederickton (Kempsey)
- Cowra
2013
- Government is willing to inject considerable sums of money towards refurbishment of the complex to increase work opportunities for locals.3
2014
- October. Producers who were using the Coonabarabran abattoir for service kill had to begin to use other abattoirs such as 6Nyngan #. NSW.
- Nyngan is a further hour and a half away6
- December. Coonabarabran abattoir is contracted for sale to persons of Chinese origin7.
- Contracts of sale have been exchanged7.
- New owners already own substantial land holdings in the Warrumbungle shire area7.
2015
Source. ‘Binnaway abatoir prepares to reopen’ QLD Country Life 20.02.2015
- February. Abattoir at this point in time is decommissioned9.
- Expected to re-open in April, If renovations are completed9
- Trading under the name Crown State Meat Company9
- Company executive Director – Jon Choi
- Opportunity for the company to vertically integrate own operation9
- having already owned 8,500 ha across Merriwa, Cassilis and Binnaway9
- Attraction that the company owns a lot of country and run a lot of cattle9
- Facility would be export accredited registered to process beef, sheep and some goats9.
- Also offering a service kill opportunity9
- Would employ 22 people9.
- May. Coonabarabran abattoir re-opens10.
- Facility will process Halal certified beef, sheep and goats10.
- Facility had undergone significant renovations10.
- Updated boiler system
- reduced energy costs and increased efficiency
- by products equipment
- livestock yard improvements
- CCTV systems to monitor livestock and ensure safe and humane treatment of animals10.
- State of the art video surveillance – Software called Cedar Creek and Sastek13.
- Plans were also in place to install a blast freezer and boning facility
- Tripe processing area renovated as well13.
- Updated boiler system
- First trial kills had been conducted earlier in the month10.
- Processing will be initially operating as a domestic abattoir10.
- Intends to become a tier 1 Export accredited facility
- Crown state had been exporting beef and sheepmeat to the Middle east and SE Asia since re-opening13.
- Facility is licensed for slaughter of 30,000 tonnes of chilled and frozen meat per year13.
- Capacity of 1,000 small stock (sheep and goats) and 120 cattle per day13.
- Plant is currently exporting to over 26 countries.
- Facility has a 90ML water licence from the Castlereagh River and a bore13.
2016
- April. Coonabarabran abattoir is mothballed12.
- Staff were told facility was closed due to lack of stock available and the facility would be undergoing maintenance12.
- Current staff at the site12.
- 20 personal on the kill floor
- 1 stunner
- 3 rendering
- 2 halal slaughtermen
- 3 office staff
- 6 load out crew
- All staff except office and load out crew were laid off12.
- Facility closure had a significant impact on the local economy12.
- Not only reduction of wage earnings
- Butchers who had meat supplied weren’t given any notice.
- Shire council had been told initial layoffs were due to upgrades the facility was undergoing to obtain an export licence12.
- May 20. Remaining 9 taff are given 2 weeks notice12..
- Coonabarabran abattoir is to be sold12.
- June. Coonabarabran (More commonly known as Binnaway) abattoir is listed for sale
- Owners – Crown State are looking to concentrate further development of beef and sheep operations of properties13
- Expressions of interest to purchase close 4th July 201613.
Source. Binnaway abattoir asset to test the market’ Beef Central 08.06.2016
- Other downstream and meat processing sites placed on sale market recently13.
- TopCut Value-adding and portioning facility on the gold Coast13.
- Yarrill Meat processors abattoir at Stanthorpe (QLD)13.
- Facility in WA13
- October. Recent interest has been shown in investors from overseas-based regions – principally Chinese14.
- Trend goes against sentiment that interest has waned recently14.
- Past 12 months profitability in processing had eroded due to high stock prices and lacklustre export demand14.
- Trend goes against sentiment that interest has waned recently14.
- Recent sale of another meatworks at Forbes #. NSW received considerable interest from Chinese investors14.
- Lachley Meat processing plant, looking to re-open as a beef processing facility14.
2017
- May. Coonabarabran abattoir is advertised for sale15.
Source .property-commercial+farming-nsw-binnaway-502377410.pdf
Sources
- ‘Australia – Meat works fined $60,000’ Meat trade News daily. 19.12.10
- ‘Closed Coonabarabran abattoir up for sale’ The Northern Daily leader. 13.11.12
- ‘Binnaway-Coonabarbran B-double trial gets green light’ ABC News 24/01/2012. ebscohost.
- ‘Abattoir may be sold’ Western magazine. 11.03.13
- ‘Collie goats go gourmet’ Farmonline. 24.10.2014
- ‘Probably the biggest breaking news within the industry’ Dubbo Daily News. 01/12/2014. ebscohost.
- ‘Binnaway abatoir prepares to reopen’ QLD Country Life 20.02.2015
- ‘Binnaway abattoir re-opens’ www.farmonline.com.au 28/05/2015
- ‘Binnaway abattoir faces permanent closure’ ABC Rural News 20.05.2016
- ‘Binnaway abattoir asset to test the market’ Beef Central 08.06.2016
- ‘Chinese still showing interest in processing assets’ Beef Central 04.10.2016
- property-commercial+farming-nsw-binnaway-502377410.pdf
Tagged: abattoirs for sale, Australian Abattoirs, Australian meat processing, Closed Australian abattoirs, Coonabarabran abattoir, New South Wales abattoirs, NSW meat processing facilities
Leave a Reply