$3M loan scheme aid for WAMMCO abattoir

WAMMCO has received a $3 million loan scheme from the State Government to allow the abattoir to upgrade its infrastructure and secure more jobs in the Great Southern region.

The development will include a new vacuum-packing machine, meat-processing facilities and installation of a water recycling plant to help address a water cost problem the company has been struggling with.

Since April, the company has been charged 20 per cent more for water, plus an upfront 15 years service fee after changes to the Water Corporation’s pricing structure. This extra cost has had a financial impact on the company and could threaten the long-term viability of the plant.

WAMMCO chief executive Coll MacRury said the technology developments from the loan scheme would provide more jobs for the locals, but the water recycling plant would only be able to fix one part of the ongoing water issue.

“The water issue is a big problem in our plant; there’s more work to be done there,” Mr MacRury said.

The loan scheme was established in 2004 and has provided more than $80 million loans to support established primary producers throughout WA.

Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the upgrade would allow the plant to increase its processing level by 2000 sheep a week.

“These upgrades will secure valuable jobs in the region, generate more profit and increase returns to WAMMCO’s producer members,” Minister MacTiernan said.

WAMMCO is owned by a co-operative of WA farmers and is the biggest employer in the region.

It employs about 350 people in the Great Southern and is the biggest single employer in Katanning.