Beef Processing Facility
Located near Clermont, QLD, this abattoir brings efficiency to local cattle producers and branded beef companies. Discover how NAIF's investment decision in August 2019 fuels economic growth and job creation in this sector.
August 2019
Agriculture & Water
Near Clermont, QLD
Signature Onfarm is a beef processing facility developed by the Angus family, a leader in the Australian cattle industry. The new abattoir enables local cattle producers and other branded beef companies to process cattle closer to their farms.
Project Overview
The project involved construction of an on‑farm specialist beef processing facility with on-site accommodation for up to 70 employees.
Building works also included office space, amenities, lairage, wastewater treatment, dry store building, an irrigation system and supporting water, energy, telecommunications, road and IT infrastructure.
The state-of-the-art facility is able to process 50,000 head of cattle a year, giving Bowen Basin graziers new opportunities for beef sales, slaughter, and marketing.
How We Helped
Unlike commercial financiers, NAIF’s high risk tolerance in relation to factors unique to investing in infrastructure in northern Australia supported the construction of this greenfield project in a remote region.
NAIF’s loan facilitated the establishment of much-needed export-accredited beef slaughter and boning facilities, commercial-scale dry ageing capabilities and specialised packaging in the Isaac Shire region. These are crucial elements for the development of a premium beef product and will give local beef producers more avenues to market their beef domestically and internationally.
Public Impact
It is estimated that the infrastructure funded by the NAIF loan will generate $63.5 million in economic benefits for the broader community over 20 years, including savings in transport costs and increased carcass yields for local producers.
The project will assist the local industry through:
- Reduction in freight costs by cutting the number of trucks on the road;
- Providing training and development opportunities and retaining local young people in the beef industry;
- Allowing the continued growth and reputation of the area as a premium beef region; and
- Facilitating the transport and sale of central Queensland premium beef domestically and to overseas markets, including Asia and the EU.
The project is expected to create 200 construction jobs and up to 70 ongoing jobs.
The beauty of this fund is that the money can keep recycling to generate vital growth in the North. We believe funds like the NAIF are vital to support lending in areas that have often been seen as higher risk.
Blair Angus
Signature Onfarm
Related Links
Indigenous Commitments
1.9%
Indigenous Engagement
- The Jangga people
The Jangga people are the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the abattoir is located. The Jangga people traditionally inhabited lands of the interior of North and Central Queensland, extending from the Belyando River in the west, and towards the Bowen Basin in the west, close to the towns of Moranbah and Glenden.
Their country includes landmarks such as the Blackwood and Nairana National Parks, which are also located along the Gregory Developmental Road, an important freight route that traverses through the south-western portion of Jangga country. Jangga country also extends over the southern portion of Lake Dalrymple, which is Queensland’s largest lake.
The Jangga people’s Native Title claim was determined and recognised by the Federal Court in October 2012.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Commitments
- Signature Onfarm’s IES includes commitments in key areas such as Participation, Employment, Procurement and Community Development.
- Key participation commitments include an Indigenous employment target of 1.9% (4 FTEs during construction and 2 FTEs during operations - based on Central Queensland Indigenous labour force figures) and assisting Indigenous enterprise development through strategies such as mentoring, capacity building, quality improvement, and industry and network assistance.
- Key community development commitments include supporting community development programs such as Blackfella Beef and supporting capacity building on Indigenous pastoral assets.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Outcomes
- As of April 2023, some of the key outcomes delivered from Signature Onfarm’s IES to date includes exceeding Indigenous employment targets during both the construction phase of the project, and they are currently exceeding operational Indigenous employment targets as of the last report in April 2023.
- Discussions are ongoing between Signature Onfarm and the Western Kangalou people regarding the development of training and employment opportunities in areas such as feedlotting, stockmanship and beef processing, and discussions are ongoing regarding the development of beef processing supply chains.
