The co-operative was formed by a group of local meat producers in response to the closure of abattoirs across the region in Gunbower, Pyramid Hill, Deniliquin and Echuca.
The closing of a tender process last week means the council and co-operative will soon appoint a builder to construct the multi-purpose site. Barham sits on the NSW side of the Murray River, north-east of Kerang.
So far $2.2 million in funding has been secured for the project — $1.38 million from the NSW Growing Local Economies Program, $450,000 under the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program and $375,000 from federal drought funds.
Murray Plains Meat Co-operative chair Lauren Mathers said the creation of a small and versatile abattoir would go a long way to improving food security in the area.
“Last year we secured enough money to build an abattoir at Barham and we’re in the middle of the tender process at the moment,” Mrs Mathers said.
“If the Benalla abattoir closes none of us have anywhere to kill our animals.
“People want local meat and if you can’t kill it locally it doesn’t make any sense.”
Mrs Mathers runs Bundarra Berkshires, a free-range pork farm which recently expanded into a deli in Barham.
Currently she sends her animals 280 km to Benalla — the closest abattoir which accepts pigs.
“Benalla don’t want to be taking on new people but they know they are the only ones doing pigs,” she said.
“It’s them or Melbourne, because Wangaratta aren’t taking on any new clients.”
Poultry producers are also in a tenuous situation along the Murray River, with few options for processing birds, particularly less common species like ducks and turkeys.
The lack of abattoirs has a big impact on small and niche producers who need abattoirs to legally process their animals, but struggle to find companies willing to take on low-volume customers with very particular requirements.
“We’ve had to buy a refrigerated truck to go out and pick our pigs up because the abattoir won’t deliver back to us,” Mrs Mathers said.
“We’ve had to outlay a lot throughout the supply chain, which is ridiculous.”
Murray River Council Mayor Chris Bilkey said it was pleasing to see the project progressing.
“This project will be a positive economic driver for the region, helping to maintain and create new jobs,” Cr Bilkey said.
Council said the multi-species abattoir was deemed the most innovative and cost-effective model available for local farmers and will help to reduce freight costs, provide a more humane processing experience, improve carcase and meat quality and improve producer and regional business viability while supporting local employment.
The Barham abattoir will be built on Gonn Rd and focus on ‘paddock to plate’ producers across lamb, beef, goat, pork and poultry.
Murray River Council will oversee the build on behalf of the co-operative.
