New meat processing facility for Western Downs region

The application was made to the WDRC by Jimbour businessman Lincoln Waldock, and his wife Belinda who operates the Jimbour Abattoir and Butchery.

The new site will allow the Jimbour Abattoir to expand its production on a new greener site.

Mr Waldock welcomes councils decision, and said they have more ground work to do, before they call for tenders for construction. 

The large abattoir development in its ultimate form will process up to 3599 pigs and 500 cattle weekly.

The couple currently employ 17 staff, and the workforce will increase to 50 to 60 once fully operating.

We have huge confidence in protein, and will be building the new facility to export standards,” Mr Waldock said.

Initially, it will be built in three stages with stage one capable of processing 7000 tonnes of beef and pork, stage two will increase production to 14,000 tonnes, while the final stage will bring production to 20,000 tonnes.

The development will be located north-east of Dalby in Jimbour, along Macalister–Bell Road. 

Western Downs Regional Council Spokesperson for Planning and Environment Councillor Andrew Smith said the new project was a major sign of confidence in the agricultural sector across the Western Downs.

“This well-placed development is a win-win situation, it ticked all the right boxes from a planning perspective and will be very attractive to our strong livestock industry, as it complements and supports the farmers here in our region,” he said.

“There has been a long history in relation to this development.

“Council was careful to ensure that this proposal went through an extremely considered and thorough assessment process, and what we have now is a great economic outcome.

“We are confident this new abattoir will bring a multitude of opportunities to the table, not just locally but globally.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the ribbon cut on this facility and it playing a pivotal role in agriculture across the Western Downs and regional Queensland.”