Category Archives: Coonabarabran

Coonabarabran #388. NSW. (Common names Binnaway or Deringula)

Australian Abattoirs, Coonabarabran, New South Wales 08/12/2017 Leave a comment

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.

Australia. Coonabarabran

Coonabarabran

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

Coonabarabran, serviceFigure 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
  • 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
      1. $190,000 fine from Environment protection authority – which business never recovered.2
      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.
  • 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.
  • 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

  1. ‘Australia – Meat works fined $60,000’ Meat trade News daily. 19.12.10
  2. ‘Closed Coonabarabran abattoir up for sale’ The Northern Daily leader. 13.11.12
  3. ‘Binnaway-Coonabarbran B-double trial gets green light’ ABC News 24/01/2012. ebscohost.
  4. ‘Abattoir may be sold’ Western magazine. 11.03.13
  6. ‘Collie goats go gourmet’ Farmonline. 24.10.2014
  7. ‘Probably the biggest breaking news within the industry’ Dubbo Daily News. 01/12/2014. ebscohost.
  9. ‘Binnaway abatoir prepares to reopen’ QLD Country Life 20.02.2015
  10. ‘Binnaway abattoir re-opens’ www.farmonline.com.au 28/05/2015
  12. ‘Binnaway abattoir faces permanent closure’ ABC Rural News 20.05.2016
  13. ‘Binnaway abattoir asset to test the market’ Beef Central 08.06.2016
  14. ‘Chinese still showing interest in processing assets’ Beef Central 04.10.2016
  15. property-commercial+farming-nsw-binnaway-502377410.pdf

NSW abattoir list A – Z.

Aberdeen, Australian Abattoirs, Bega, Blayney, Bourke, Camperdown, Collarenebri, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Cootamundra, Cowra, Culcairn, Dubbo, Duringula, Forbes, Goulburn, Grafton, Gundagai, Gunnedah, Guyra, Harden, Inverell, Lismore, New South Wales, Oberon, Uncategorized 26/05/2014 Leave a comment

This list is only of those facilities currently on this blog.

For sites in other parts of Australia, go to Australian Abattoir Locations

 

Aberdeen abattoir. Closed. Last owned by AMH

Bega. Current operation unknown

Blayney abattoir. Closed Last owned by ANZCO

Bourke (Proposed) Goat

Camperdown

Casino abattoir. Currently operating

Collarenbri. Proposed goat abattoir

Coonabarabran abattoir. Closed

Coonamble abattoir

Cootamundra

Cowra abattoir. Currently operating

Culcairn

Deniliquin abattoir. Current operation unknown

Dubbo abattoir. Currently operational. The largest sheepmeat processing facility in Australia.

Duringula abattoir

Forbes abattoir (NSW)

Goulburn abattoir

Grafton

Gundagai

Gunnedah

Guyra abattoir

Harden abattoir. Closed in 2006.

Inverell. Better known as Bindaree Beef. Currently in operation.

Lismore

Oberon abattoir

______________________________________________________________________________

Aberdeen abattoir

Now closed, located in north east NSW, was last owned by AMH.
Historically a very old facility – originally began in 1891. Most recently upgraded in 1996, closed 1999,

Bega

Opened in 2004 as a small species abattoir processing rabbits and poultry, located south of Canberra in NSW. Had operating cost issues in 2013, closure threatened.

Blayney abattoir

Located in southeast NSW. Began operations as a freezing works in 1900, became insolvent in 1996, then purchased by ANZCO, with debts still owing to unsecured creditors of $6M. Closed in 1998. AMIEU citing economic reasons rather than stock shortages as the main cause of closure.

Bourke (Proposed) Goat

2008 local council proposed establishment of a goat abattoir to process 1,500 goats a day.

Camperdown abattoir

Located only 8km Sydney, closed 1991 following violent industrial disputes.

Casino abattoir

Currently operating in 2014. The only Australian farmer co-operative abattoir of its kind. Specialised Wagyu plant that has two operating floors for different size slaughter animals.

Collarenebri (Proposed) Goat

Formally a failed emu and ostrich abattoir a proposal was put forward in 2008 to develop the site to process 750 goats a day for 8 months of the year.

Coonabarbran abattoir

Located 600km north west of Sydney. Was the only abattoir in the region that did service kill of 3 species, cattle, lamb and pigs. Had environmental pollution problems in 2008 which attracted legal action and fines. Closed in 2012 citing costs of fines from 2008 issues.

Coonamble abattoir

Closed in 2001 due to government GST and regulation costs, is currently being upgraded for reopening in 2014

Cootamundra abattoir

Cowra abattoir

Located 250km west of Sydney the abattoir has been through closures but is currently operating.
Commenced operations in 1970, pay disputes in 2006, administrator appointed in same year. While insolvent owner conducted illegal activity by transfer of deed to another company and allocating 1st mortgage status to it and not the bank, with employee entitlements last and unable to be paid. Administrators sold facility in 2007, it underwent significant upgrades in 2012 with CCTV installed.

Culcairn abattoir

Deniliquin abattoir

Deniliquin had a freezing works in the late 1800’s. The current abattoir was built at a different site and was operating prior to 1990. It opened and closed a number of times. Recently being sold the facility has undergone upgrades with intentions of being opened in 2013

Dubbo abattoir

Largest sheep meat processor in Australia currently in operation. A new plant built in 1988 which was the first to have a processing chain that was a hot boning system for mutton. When developed the employment was shift based and not tally as other abattoirs at the time. Did have a wool processing facility that is now closed. Production has been affected by supply of animals, high Australian dollar, sheep prices and reduction of the Australian sheep herd. It proposed in 2010 to merge 2 shifts for one as a 10 hour work day, unions resisted.

Duringula

Located mid north east NSW, currently closed. Local government considering injecting funds for refurbishment of the facility.

Forbes abattoir

Located southwest NSW, built in the 1950’s, owned and operated by Japanese 1988 to 2003. Plant required significant capital upgrades which the owners were not prepared to do and it closed in 2003. Talk of reopening in 2013.

Goulburn abattoir

Located 200km southwest of Sydney and north of Canberra. Has faced major shortage of animal supply issues in the past due to drought and decreased national sheep herd. Recently increased costs of water affected operations

Grafton abattoir

Gundagai abattoir

Gunnedah abattoir

Guyra abattoir

Was operating prior to 1960 as a government owned facility, closed to be reopened by the council as a service kill facility. Racking up substantial debts of $6M these were waived at sale in 1985 to be reopened then closed again in 1993. AMH purchased around this time and entered into a partnership with DR Johnston to operate. Involved in significant industrial disputes the plant was regarded as marginal it was closed permanently in 1996. Currently being considered for development of the site as a rabbit farm

Harden abattoir

Built in the 1970’s by council, Southern meats purchased and ran Harden with a US consortium. US sheepmeat import tariffs caused short operational closures but lack of supply of animals due to extended drought caused final closure in 2006.

Inverell abattoir

Located in northern NSW, a privately owned abattoir more commonly known as Bindaree Beef. Recently received $23M government grant for a biogas project. Negotiations in 2014 with union regarding EBA have stalled, workers have had a number of stop works in recent months over pay disagreements.

Lismore abattoir

Oberon abattoir

Located 200km east of Sydney, Privately owned facility that was shut for a period due to a business deal. Re-opened in 2014 targeting Asian market preferences in Sydney.

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