THE MINISTER for Regional Development, Mary-Anne Thomas, confirmed that Greenham and Sons of Tongala would receive a grant under the State Government’s Regional Jobs Fund, enabling the business to undertake a $50M redevelopment of its Tongala operation and create up to 230 new jobs.
The funding will allow the business to modernise its site by investing in state-of-the art meat processing equipment, energy saving recycling plant and equipment, and new cattle unloading facilities including covered stockyards.
Redevelopment of the abattoir will also include the construction of a ‘chilled beef’ production facility that will unlock access to more lucrative export markets and help the business move into premium meat products.
Earlier this year, the business was forced to close part of its operations in the face of extreme cattle shortages and record livestock prices, resulting in significant jobs losses.
The new development is expected to increase turnover by 20 percent, securing the future of the Tongala site and further strengthening the region’s reputation as a premier food producing region.
The Regional Jobs Fund is part of the Government’s flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which helps businesses create more jobs in regional Victoria, supports important community projects and backs councils to build the infrastructure locals and visitors need.
The current round of the Regional Jobs Fund is open to companies seeking to grow their operations. The Fund is part of the Government’s almost $30B investment across regional and rural Victoria since 2015.
