mmg.com.au

The Deniliquin Abattoir looks likely to reopen, with the facility officially under contract.

The Pastoral Times believes a buyer from outside of Deniliquin has agreed to purchase the meatworks, which has been dormant since 2007.

Workers are reportedly already being sought for the abattoir, so it can resume operations at the earliest opportunity.

It is expected to be reopened in about four to six months.

At full capacity, the Deniliquin abattoir has the potential to employ about 80 people.

Murray Valley Community Action Group chair Lester Wheatley said if even only a fraction of that capacity was employed with the reopening, it is still good news.

‘‘It will be enormous for Deni,’’ he said.

‘‘When it closed it was a huge blow for the community because it is an excellent source of economic activity and diversified the number of positions available.

‘‘Even if it starts with only 50 or 60 people, it’s still a lot of jobs.’’

Mr Wheatley said the positive flow-on effects for the community if the abattoir were to reopen would be substantial.

He said it would also open up opportunities for farmers in the livestock markets.

The Deniliquin Abattoir closed when previous operators Klanstin Pty Ltd withdrew from the facility.

At the time, Klanstin general manager Tony Kairouz said issues with the market and meat industry had forced the temporary closure.

Still owned by Farouk Fami, who owned Fami Corp, the facility was then inherited by the businessman’s family following his death in 2010.

The overseas owners started seeking a buyer for the facility soon after.

The Fami Corp website confirms the facility is in the under contract phase of the sale process, which means the buyer has agreed to buy the property subject to conditions.

The Pastoral Times believes the buyer was in Deniliquin recently to inspect the property, and is expected to return again in early December.