North Queensland
Small processor located 90km south of Townsville, currently in operation
Historical abattoir closed in 1927, Also known as Baron works, located near Mareeba.
Owned by MJ Munro, operated as a slaughterhouse in the early days and then a cannery.
Located 230km south of Townsville on the QLD coast.Was in operation at 1919, went through fires, labour disputes and temporary closures. Purchased by AMH, the final owners and permanently closed in 1997.
Cairns (more commonly known as Queerah meatworks) was located in far north QLD received cattle from mainly north Australia, often by Barge from the NT and Normanton that had travelled from the gulf of Carpentaria in the 1960’s to 1975. Began to export in 1950’s closed in 1989 as part of the AMH rationalisation strategy of its abattoir capacity through the 1980’s.
Located 190km northwest of Mt Isa, small processor currently operating that supplies own butchery for retail.
A small local processor currently in operation, located 70 km south of Bowen between Townsville and Mackay.
Located south west of Townsville. Closed in 1986 due to the AMH rationalisation strategy of its abattoirs capacity through the 1980’s.
Built prior to WWII, At one stage was the 2nd largest meatworks in Queensland. Last owned by AMH consortium, closed in 1989
Built in 1882, QLD meat export agency formed supplied contracts for supply of product to England. Plagued by industrial action its whole operating life most notably in 19919 when a violent clash between the unions and police occurred. Been through ownership receiver, beef price crash, strikes, droughts and market changes. Smorgons meat processors, last owner collapses in 1994, facility closed in 1995. Site now developed as a residential site with only the chimney still remaining as a historic site.
Small processor currently operating near Cairns
Owned by JBS. Large beef processor located in far north QLD
Small processor currently operating between Cairns and Townsville
Small local processor
Central Queensland
Charleville abattoir – goat processor (Central QLD)
A goat processing facility that is currently operating located in central QLD. This facility exports all its production. Has had past problems of securing visa workers to ensure ability to process production. Floods have affected operations and government costs while plant has been closed at different periods.
Small local processor
Small local processor currently operating
Cloncurry #2, proposed abattoir (QLD)
Proposal sponsored by DAFF 2012. Consider establishment of an abattoir at Cloncurry to process cattle from north west QLD and NT. Based on processing 100,000 heavy cattle per year, costing $49M to build not including land or government services. Marginal return expected on investment.
Located near Innisfail, a small processor that is currently operating.
Domestic abattoir currently operating south of Townsville
Owned by CMG then Teys, Hit by cyclone Larry in 2006, never to be reopened, equipment scrapped and auctioned off in 2011.
Built in the war years and closed in 1986
Southern Queensland
Large facility owned by Teys, currently in operation located south of Brisbane.Recently had a number of wage disputes. Invests heavily in new technology to optimise labour efficencies, currently operating 2 shifts processing 1,300 cattle per day
Located in Queensland, one of only 2 abattoirs in Australia accredited for export of horse meat.
The largest meat processing plant in Australia, currently operating and owned by JBS Australia. Located near Brisbane QLD.
Located northwest of Brisbane and primarily processes grainfed cattle. 4th largest abattoir in Australia, currently operating.
Located near Toowoomba, a large processing facility of mainly grain-fed beef, owned by Nippon. Currently processing up to 1300 animals per day. Has undergone significant upgrades to enable traceability for organic certification and assurances, with current work being carried out on methane gas collection. Problems in the past have been market fluctuations, unions and costs of production
Surat abattoir – Kangaroo processor (QLD)
Games meat abattoir located south of Roma. Processes Kangaroo. Started in mid 1980’s, possibly now closed due to floods, debt and costs of services to operate.