23/01/08
Work on the $30million Muchea livestock centre is about to begin, with Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance today attending a soil turning ceremony at the site to mark Stage Two of the earthworks.
Mr Chance said the Muchea site, which was being managed by the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority (WAMIA), would meet the livestock industry’s requirement for a combined sheep and cattle facility well into the future.
“The new facility will be state-of-the-art in terms of environmental management, animal welfare and occupational health and safety features,” the Minister said.
“This project demonstrates confidence in the growth of the meat industry in the region, and will greatly benefit local producers.”
WAMIA chairman Kerry McAuliffe said the Stage Two earthworks were the most important step in the project so far, and would cost $2.8million.
“The earthworks will take 14 weeks after which yard construction will start,” Mr McAuliffe said.
“We are still on track to be completed at the end of this year.”
The main earthworks will create a 16ha site for the location of a saleyard pad and hard stand. Waste water ponds, clean water ponds and associated drains will also be dug.
Mr Chance said Yarnell, a family company based in Toodyay, was awarded the tender for Stage Two of the forward works.
“Plant and equipment has been mobilised on site and includes eight scrapers, two water carts, three bulldozers, a 45-tonne excavator, a grader and three rollers,” he said.
“The new saleyard facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2008, and more than 1,000,000 sheep and 100,000 cattle are expected to go through the facility each year.”
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