Australian Abattoirs

A small domestic processor located on an Aboriginal remote community, processes locally bred cattle to sell meat mainly to local communities.

Other Names

Current Operation

• Currently in operation.

Location

• Kalkarindji is an Aboriginal community located on the Buntine Highway 350 km south west of Katherine.

Source – Hema Maps.

Owner

Operation

• Processes locally grown short horn cattle a week¹
• Uses a bolt action gun to kill the animal¹
• Process the animal by laying in a cradle to dress the carcase.¹
• Supplies communities in the Victoria River District with meat.¹
• Supplies Kakarindji store, Yarralin, Pigeon Hole and Lajamanu²

History

2008

• July. At this time there are 2 other Aboriginal owned abattoirs operating in communities³
  • Oenpelli NT
  • Palumpa NT
• September. Indigenous Land Corporation have acquired 221 properties across Australia since 1995⁵
  • Manage 70,000 head of cattle on various Aboriginal held stations⁵
• December. Current butcher – Jason Scadden, has been working at the facility for 11 years.¹
• On kill days 2 other workers help.¹
• After slaughter the animal is laid on a cradle to skin, legs and gut¹
• Facility has a ban saw, mincer and sausage maker¹
• Meat is wrapped, packed and priced.¹
• Goes to the shop in Kalkarindji or other communities.¹

2014

• Is unsatisfied demand for local beef in northern Australia local communities, mining and tourism.²
• Involvement in meat processing by Indignous communties could develope local beef processing facilities.²
  • Oenpelli abattoir (NT) – more commonly known as Gunbalanya, kills 30 head a week is currently operating.²
  • Palumpa (NT), kills 20 head a week is currently operating²
  • Mataranka (NT) – partially built but has been abandoned.
  • Peppimenarti (NT) proposed.²

2017

• Oenpelli abattoir is closed⁴
  • No reason is given by the operator – Australian Indigenous Agribusiness Company⁴
    • Indigenous Land council newly formed subsidiary that is federally funded⁴
      • ILC lease and run  Gunbalanya station and meatworks under a 15 year lease agreement⁴

Sources

1. ‘Touring a remote abattoir’ ABC rural. 15.12.2008
2. Managing Indigenous Pastoral Land. Module 9, Small scale abattoirs. 14/025
3. ‘Rare bush abattoir’ ABC Rural 07.07.2008
4. ‘Local meat shortage, families without income ahead of christmas….’ ABC Rural 22/12/2017
5. ‘Cattlemen muster pride’ The Australian 22.09.2008