Meat and Meat Preparations Industry

682 The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay) (25 August 2021). How is the government supporting the meat and meat preparations industry after a 32 per cent decrease since 2018 as per the SA Overseas Goods Exports figures and how many jobs are at risk from this decrease?

The Hon. S.J.R. PATTERSON (Morphett—Minister for Trade and Investment): I have been advised:

The decrease in meat and meat preparations since 2018 correlates directly with the catastrophic Thomas Foods International (TFI) abattoir fire in January 2018. TFI is South Australia’s largest supplier and exporter of meat and meat preparations, so stopping production at its largest South Australian facility has an immediate effect on the production and export of meat and meat preparations.

Since the fire, the Marshall Liberal government and my department, through case management services, has facilitated the commitment of TFI to rebuild in Murray Bridge.

Thomas Foods International is building a new state-of-the-art processing facility on a greenfield site north of Murray Bridge. The new facility will be a massive boost for the regional economy, exports, and jobs.

The South Australian and Australian governments will facilitate the necessary utilities (electricity, gas, water and sewer) and road infrastructure at an estimated cost of approximately $24 million, to ensure the significant Thomas Foods International operations rebuild takes place in South Australia.

Local construction company BADGE has been awarded the contract to construct the new processing facility.

Construction of the facility is underway with civil works recently starting on site. Construction of the road to the site and the intersection at Mannum Road is complete.

Renewal SA is working with gas and electricity providers to deliver electricity and gas utility infrastructure to the site. The northern electricity line is already constructed and energised.

SA Water is developing the water and sewer utility infrastructure, with all utility infrastructure to be delivered in line with the commissioning time frames of the new facility.

Once fully operational, the new facility will have a considerably larger processing capacity with an estimated 2,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) being employed on site. This doesn’t include the jobs created in the construction of the processing facility and indirect jobs in the agricultural sector.

DTI will continue to work with TFI when the facility is operational through its onshore and offshore teams, to identify and develop export opportunities through the introduction to potential overseas buyers.