A missed opportunity

Ted and his family have invested tens of millions of dollars into the redevelopment and start-up of the reformed Hilltop Meats Beef abattoir in Young, which currently hires 75 people on site.

There are only two export pork processing sites in NSW - one in Corowa and one in the state’s far north at Lismore.

Ted said he has looked into options for either re-opening the export pig floor on site or a new pork processing facility in the Young area, but due to what he feels is a lack of support from the Hilltops Council and State Government, Ted has decided he is no longer interested in potentially investing up to $40 million into a council area that doesn’t support local pork producers.

Ted believes, by comparison other local and state government representations in Queensland, NSW is failing to support pork growing and pork processing opportunities.

In Ted’s opinion the lack of support by Hilltops Council, in particular, to back the Blantyre DA makes it highly unlikely further investment and growth in the Young area is a long term viable option.

Hilltop Meats General Manager Simon Hopwood explained that the opening of either the existing pig floor facility or a greenfield site would create at least another 150 jobs for the local community, not to mention the extra jobs that would be created for the Harden area if the proposed piggery were to open.

“I would urge the Administration of Hilltops Council to seek common ground with both the advocates of this DA and concerned parties, to ensure a mutually beneficial outcome for all parties,” Mr Hopwood said. “To consider Young will now miss the opportunity for a reputable Australian owned family business to further consolidate investment and growth for the local community and local job creation is very, very disappointing.”

The proposed piggery at Harden is currently on display Hilltops Council offices or on the website.