PORT Hedland Export Depot co-owner Paul Brown’s announcement to build an abattoir in the Pilbara coincided with what he described as the second phase of his plans, to build an export depot facility at Geraldton.
Mr Brown said the “button had been pushed” on the plans, and while it was still in its early stages, land had already been purchased that could be used as an export depot as well as a “beef production facility” to benefit the wider cattle industry into the future.
He estimated the cost of the venture at $650,000, but was still working on how much was going to be required to build the additional elements such as hay and fodder mixing and storage sheds.
A proposal was in the making for approvals from the local shire, and with the property already having the correct zoning he didn’t see it as being a problem to go forward with the plans.
Mr Brown said with the Geraldton Port having installed Shore-line Tension Units early last year it made the loading of live animals safer, and exporting easier.
“In the off peak season for live exports we would use Geraldton as a beef production facility,” Mr Brown said.
“It would be a state-of-the-art, purpose built feedlot, with modern cattle handling facilities and built with additional areas and larger pens to be able to do that.
“The facility will offer reduced stress for the cattle and better animal welfare outcomes, with covered areas in pens.”
He said the new feedlot would initially have a 5000 head capacity, with the potential to increase that as demand grows.
The stocking rate would be similar to the Port Hedland Export Depot, which can accommodate more than 4000 head of cattle, and has undergone half of its planned upgrade to boost the capacity to 8000.
“We’ve already done half of the expansion, which we started a couple of years ago,” he said.
“We mothballed it after the 2011 cattle suspension until we had the confidence that the export industry from Port Hedland would become sustainable again.”
He said the Port Hedland Export Depot was used from April to October due to the seasonal conditions, whereas Geraldton offered the benefit of operating for 12 months of the year.
“The benefits to the wider industry will be less costs of transport, and easier to access feed such as lupins, canola, straw, hay and barley which I am already discussing with suppliers for long-term contracts,” he said.
Mr Brown also said that the City of Geraldton and the Port Authority were very supportive of an increase in cattle exports from Geraldton.
The feedlot will be located just 15 minutes by truck from the port, and there was nothing available like that near Perth, with “uncongested roads and shorter turnaround times for drivers”.
With a shorter distance from farm to the depots animals would also lose less weight in transit and be in better condition prior to staging for export, requiring less preparation to get them into condition.
Mr Brown said he will combine the Geraldton and Port Hedland feedlots into one joint venture, and was already in discussions with potential third party interests seeking investment opportunities.
“An expansion of capacity in Geraldton also offers industry the opportunity to move away from the politically charged environment in Fremantle into a regional community that actually understands the value of the industry to the State,” Mr Brown said.
