mmg.com.au

Sydney-based company Global Crown Pty Ltd has officially confirmed it is intending to re-open the Deniliquin Abattoir early in the new year.

The Pastoral Times learned the facility was under contract last month.

Global Crown Pty Ltd chief executive John Wynan has now revealed, in conjunction with Deniliquin Council, an announcement on the abattoir’s re-opening could be made as early as next month.

Council general manager Des Bilske said if everything proceeds as planned, the abattoirs could be expected to be operational again in the second quarter of 2013.

Mr Wynan said this week he understands the Deniliquin community is eagerly awaiting news on the re-opening because of the significant economic boost it will provide to the region.

‘‘Negotiations have progressed steadily to this point,’’ he said.

‘‘Settlement of the sale has not been completed but it is in the final stages and we are confident that it is imminent.’’

Mr Wynan said the abattoirs would continue as an Halal slaughterhouse, for which it is already fully accredited.

He said the facility would focus solely on the sheep industry.

It is anticipated the abattoirs will start with production of about 1000 sheep a day, with the goal of getting to full production of 3500 a day as soon as practical.

Mr Wynan said at its peak the abattoirs will employ about 100 staff and he anticipates getting to this level at some point during 2013.

Advertisements for expressions of interest and recruitment are likely to be published locally early next year.

Deniliquin Mayor Lindsay Renwick said Deniliquin Council had been working with Mr Wynan and was looking forward to the re-opening of the abattoirs.

‘‘This will be a significant economic boost to our community in 2013,’’ Cr Renwick said.

‘‘Hopefully, early next year, our town will return to the days when our rice mill and abattoirs were both fully operational.

‘‘They were our major employers and to lose both for a period of time was a huge blow.

‘‘But I’m sure we have turned the corner and can now look forward to Deniliquin growing steadily again.’’

Cr Renwick congratulated Mr Wynan and Global Crown Pty Ltd on the confidence it had shown in this region, and the future of the sheep industry.

He also thanked council staff who had worked closely with Mr Wynan to assist with the re-opening.

The Deniliquin Abattoirs operated as an accredited Halal slaughterhouse from 1990 until its closure during the drought in 2007.

It has been offered for sale by the estate of the late Farouk Fami, under Famicorp Pty Ltd.