New Broiler Farm Planned for Rankins Springs
NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA - Pro-Ten Holdings, a grower for Baiada Poultry, is planning a A$24-million, 24-house chicken farm at Rankins Springs.Demand from Griffith's Baiada Poultry has prompted one of Australia's largest chicken producers to draw up plans for a $24 million facility at Rankins Springs, according to ABC.
Pro-Ten Holdings already has chicken sheds at Griffith and Murrami but has lodged a development application with the Carrathool Shire Council for a 24-shed farm on the Rankins Springs Road.
Pro-Ten CEO, Daniel Bryant, says once complete would house more than 1.5 million chickens. He says it is the largest project the company's taken on but it is for sound reasons.
He explained: "Demand from our customer, Baiada Poultry.
"They're expanding their processing and facilities in the Griffith area and where they want the growth, we intend to build the farm. Because they've got to be in a certain radius of the processing plant."
Carrathool Shire Mayor, Peter Laird, says he fully supports the project.
Public submissions on the development closed last week but none was received. Councillor Laird says the farm could be the beginning of a poultry focus for the shire.
He said: "Well. they've indicated that they would like to look at other areas, possibly do some more building and hopefully they'll proceed with that. We'd look forward to another application. We'll certainly accept any development that's good for the area."
Councillor Laird believes the development at Rankins Springs could benefit every local shire resident. It is estimated 10 full-time jobs will be created but Cllr Laird says that is just the beginning.
"There's 70 or 80 to build it and that'll take probably 12 months or longer," he said. "There's going to be four families stationed out there they tell us. Then there's other jobs carriers to move stuff around. Also an opportunity for the farmers for grain and an opportunity for chook litter fertiliser. It's got all sorts of spin-off and flows that will be excellent for our area."
Mr Bryant says the Western Joint Regional Planning Panel will give the final say on the project.
He told ABC: "We're hoping to have earthworks underway this side of Christmas, end of November. Hopefully we'll have the first four sheds in operation by May 2012, with the whole site completed by April 2013."