The McGowan Government has welcomed the announcement of a new co-operative of northern pastoralists to own and operate northern Western Australia's only abattoir.
The Kimberley Meat Co-operative (KMC) will acquire the beef processing facility 100km east of Broome, operating the facility on a contract based with its members and processing at least 40,000 head of cattle per year.
The KMC plans to begin operations at the abattoir in early 2022.
As a co-operative, KMC will have access to the WA Government's Co-Operative Loan Scheme, subject to the usual conditions of that scheme.
Low-interest loans through the scheme allow co-operatives to claim a tax deduction on the principal repayments of the loan together with the usual taxation deductions of interest and fees.
Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan is meeting with prospective co-operative members in Broome today as they finalise arrangements for the co-operative.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The Kimberley Meat Co-operative heralds a new era for northern beef, providing an independent processing facility for pastoralist members to locally process their cattle.
"We have been long-time supporters both of agricultural co-operatives and of local beef processing in the Kimberley, and this new ownership model will put the facility and the industry on a more sustainable footing moving forward.
"Local processing provides a new market for the northern beef industry, creating local jobs in the Kimberley and filling international demand for quality WA beef products.
"Importantly, the co-operative structure will also allow KMC to apply for support through our Co-operative Loan Scheme - which has provided more than $100 million in loans to WA co-operatives since 2004."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"This is a fantastic milestone for Kimberley pastoralists, supporting local jobs and the local beef industry across the north.
"Congratulations to all involved, and we look forward to seeing the Kimberley processing facility reopen next year."
