MEAT Capricorn
MEAT Capricorn is a collaborative project between Advance Rockhampton, Livingstone Shire Council and CQUniversity to advocate for the establishment of a small-scale multispecies processing facility (SMPF) in Central Queensland.
There is currently a 600km market unserviced by an SMPF which hinders small-scale, hobby and niche farmers from processing and selling their livestock.
Establishing a food-safety accredited SMPF would unlock new commercial pathways for these producers, enabling direct sales to restaurants, supermarkets, markets and direct-to-consumer sales. This has the potential to increase their profits and traceability, while also enhancing the reputation of the Beef Capital amongst diners, chefs and regional visitors.
Local producers have expressed their readiness to scale up and increase their capacity to support such a facility, following strategic investment by a regional SMPF.
MEAT Capricorn Prospectus(PDF, 1MB)
Why does Central Queensland need an SMPF?
Right now, Central Queensland is without an SMPF. Farmers need to transport smaller allocations such as sheep, goats, pigs and cattle, to Kuttabul, north of Mackay or Monto – inland from Bundaberg – for processing.
That leaves an uptapped market spanning 600 kilometres and covering a catchment area of more than 3,000 livestock businesses.
A facility in the region could reduce current transport times by as much as three and a half hours.
Central Queensland's Livestock Strengths
- Home to Australia’s largest beef cattle herd
- Significant export processing capacity
- Reputation as a beef production, sales, supply chain and logistics hub
- Existing large-scale processing facilities, with identified market gap for niche farm-gate to plate production
- Home to the triennial Beef Australia industry gathering
What are the potential benefits of a local SMPF?
The development of a small-scale multispecies processing facility in the region could potentially deliver a range of positive economic, environmental, employment and animal welfare outcomes.
These include:
- Increases in cattle, goat, pig and sheep production
- Possible collaborations with education providers and employment agencies
- Developing niche processing for the domestic market, including animals such as goats
- Improved animal welfare outcomes by reducing transport times by up to three and a half hours
- The potential to develop location-based branding or a co-op to highlight Central Queensland produce at the point-of-sale
What could a Central Queensland SMPF look like?
A small-scale multispecies facility could operate as a basic processing facility which produces up to 1,000 tonnes of dressed product each year, and would be located close to local farms to support efficient access and logistics. It would offer a unique service for the Central Queensland and Fitzroy Regions, covering a catchment spanning 600km.
Key services would include butchering and boning, basic chilling, circular waste management systems, holding yards and paddocks.
contact advance rockhampton
Advance Rockhampton can provide you with more information on potential sites and supply chains within the Rockhampton Region.
Phone: + 61 7 4936 8282
Email: advancerockhampton@rrc.qld.gov.au