According to senator Steve Martin who announced the funding, the project could be worth AUS$50m to the Tasmanian economy.
The Tasmanian Quality Meats expansion will include increased kill capacity, additional kill floor work stations, the expansion of lairage, chillers, a boning room, freezers (carcase and carton), settling ponds, plant, an upgrade of power supply, a boiler room, air compressors, skin mixes, amenities and associated road infrastructure.
Senator Martin said: “This is about expanding the Cressy Meat Processing plant to cater for sheep and lamb, particularly significant given the average Australian consumes 9kg of lamb per year.”
He said the investment in Tasmanian Quality Meats was part of the local Government plan to help domestic industries grow stronger and to attract jobs to regional communities.
“Currently about 750,000 head of lamb/sheep is live-exported to the mainland for slaughter, only to be brought back to Tasmania as boxed meat.
“So this grant doesn’t just mean a lot more jobs and upskilling Tasmanian workers, it has significant animal welfare benefits too,” added Martin. “I have been fighting for the Tasmanian meat processing industry since the closure of JBS in Devonport and this is a really positive outcome.
“It is all about my agenda to get a fair share of Australia's red meat and livestock industry, worth over AU$18 billion for regional Tasmania, and help build stronger local communities.”