Pre-works have been completed on the Gonn Rd construction site, including connection of water services and construction of an entry road.
All this was done by Murray River Council under the assumption the abattoir’s development application (DA) would be successful.
Currently the DA is on public exhibition and is being reviewed by the council’s planning team.
If all goes well, construction on the micro-abattoir should begin in two months’ time.
Murray River Council is overseeing the build on behalf of the Murray Plains Meat Cooperative.
The cooperative is a group of local farmers formed in response to the closure of local abattoirs in Gunbower, Pyramid Hill, Deniliquin and Echuca.
The micro-abattoir will be capable of processing 723 tonnes of live weight each year and accepting a range of livestock from local “paddock to plate” producers, including cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry.
Murray Plains Meat Cooperative member Lauren Mathers runs a free-range pig farm nine kilometres outside Barham.
Ms Mathers said the building stage wouldn’t be starting until the DA was approved.
“The abattoir DA is submitted and council are working away, with that hopefully approved by August,” Ms Mathers said.
A Murray River Council spokesperson said in addition to the connection of utilities and construction of the entry road, the council had also installed perimeter fences and planted trees along the perimeter.
Water pressure pumps and storage tanks have also been installed and a drain and stormwater retention pond is under construction.
These housekeeping steps account for seven per cent of the project’s $2.2 million budget.
The project is supported by a $450,000 grant from the Federal Government.
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