NEW EXPORTER SETS UP AT PORT
A north Queensland cattle company is about to start building a livestock marshalling facility at the Port of Mourilyan it says will set a new standard for the live cattle trade in Australia.
Transport Minister Paul Lucas said Ports Corporation of Queensland and the company, Sugarbag, had agreed on the project, which could generate a significant increase in live cattle exports from the port 90km south of Cairns.
"Live cattle exports from the Port of Mourilyan have been averaging about 5000 head a year," Mr Lucas said.
"This new facility is expected to double that initially, and it could be the catalyst to build eventual throughput to as many as 100,000 head a year.
"The state government believes the company's proposal incorporates best practices in animal husbandry.
"At the same time the government has insisted on strict environmental conditions, and has ensured the design will fit into the surrounding area."
Local contractors will be used to build the facility. The project will generate about 20 jobs for six months and the facility will engage about 10 fulltime staff when it becomes operational.
Construction of the roofed facility, at the eastern end of the port adjacent to the former Coast Guard building, will take about six months, with associated port road works beginning this month.
Large underground waste tanks will be emptied after each shipment and the waste sold to local horticulturalists. This would also help to minimise the smell at the port.
"There'll be no discharge of waste into the harbour," Mr Lucas said.
"After each shipment the portable races to guide the cattle on to the ship will be washed also."
Mr Lucas said the company was paying for the entire project. For commercial reasons, the company had not specified the cost.
The marshalling yard will be big enough for the port to hold 1200 head of cattle for up to 24 hours before export. The company said the construction of the yard would enable the animals to stay in prime condition immediately before being shipped out.
Emergency feeding will be possible if the consignment is delayed.
Mr Lucas said the project had resulted from the Port Corporation of Queensland's diversification strategy at the largely sugar-based port.
"Other trades through the port will ease cost pressures on users and help ensure its long-term viability," he said.
Last financial year live cattle shipments out of Mourilyan increased by 21.6% on the previous year, while the export of sugar eased by 1.8%.
Live cattle exports at Townsville have decreased in recent times and ceased at Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria. However the trade has continued successfully at Mourilyan for eight years.
Sugarbag is a new exporter from Mourilyan. The company has the only registered live export depot chain in north Queensland, with two feedlot-accredited live export depots at Mt Garnet, the road train transfer point west of Cairns, and Upper Daradgee near Innisfail.
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James Collins 3237 1947.
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