Community Update - Livingstone Abattoir

18 February 2014

Construction is continuing on the Darwin Beef Processing Facility at Livingstone Valley despite the monsoonal conditions we have experienced in recent weeks. A Community Reference Group meeting held last week heard that site access has caused some delays but Northern Australian Beef Limited was confident construction was still within the broad timeframe originally set, with commissioning to take place around August or September.

Employment

Applications for employment will begin in April.

Environment

Because of the heavy recent rain, we have been able to collect a lot of data about surface water on site.

Once construction is complete, water from within the plant area will be collected and passed through the waste water treatment plant. Other run-off water is channelled through drains to the natural run off point on site. It is important to remember that the AACo site also collects run off water from surrounding properties.

Groundwater sampling was undertaken of all 16 bores across the AACo site in October 2013. This is the third round of groundwater sampling that has been undertaken at the site. This pre-construction sampling represents pre-construction groundwater quality and will be used to compare against any changes in groundwater quality once operations commence. The next round of groundwater sampling is due at the end of the wet season in April 2014. On-going groundwater sampling throughout operations will be undertaken at the end of each wet season and end of each dry season.

Surface water sampling was undertaken in January 2014. This is the seventh round of surface water sampling that has been undertaken since monitoring began during the 2011/12 wet season. Surface water sampling sites include one upstream site, three sites within the AACo property, one downstream site, and one control site located on an equivalent stream not subject to run-off from AACo. It is only possible to sample these sites immediately after very heavy rainfall as otherwise there is not enough flow. Therefore, sampling is undertaken approximately 3 to 4 times over each wet season during monsoonal events. This pre-construction sampling represents pre-construction surface water quality and will be used to compare against any changes in surface water quality once operations commence. The next round of surface water sampling is due in March 2014.

Herbicides were measured during the first few round of surface water sampling. No concentrations were detected. Given these baseline levels had been established, it was not considered necessary to continue monitoring for herbicides and subsequent sampling rounds have not included herbicide analysis.

Weed spraying

Aerial spraying of weeds occurred on the weekend of 11-12 January. The work was contracted to a professional and very experienced contractor who checked weather and wind conditions before carrying out the work.

Community Reference Group Questions and Feedback

At the recent CRG meeting, members raised a number of questions and provided feedback from the community. This is summarised below along with responses.

What is being done in terms of renewable energy for the site and will there be any interruptions to local power as a result of the facility becoming operational?

We looked at both wind and solar power options but they were not viable. There is not enough regular sun or wind for them to generate the power required. Instead we will be generating our own power using gas. We will not be putting any drain on the local electricity network.

When will work commence on the gas pipeline?

This will commence in late March and construction will take about three weeks.

Is NABL serious about accepting prisoners as part of its workforce as reported in the media?

Our first priority for employment is local people and that has not and will not change. A lot of local people have expressed an interest and we will be letting them know once recruitment begins.

We have been in discussions with the Northern Territory Government about the potential employment of prisoners. Remember, they would still need to meet all of our criteria for employment the same as anyone else and I would hope they would become permanent employees once they are released.

Will the facility be employing cattle handlers?

We will need around five cattle people in our yards.

What will happen with the sediment from the water treatment plant?

Sediments from the water treatment plant are recycled and used in the rendering plant.

What happens with the paunch and manure?

These are dried and then sent off site to be used as fertiliser.

How much processing of cattle hides will take place on site?

The hides will be salted on site and exported for tanning.

Do you have established markets for the hides?

Yes. There is no shortage of markets for hides.

What is happening about the community hall and child care centre?

We are still committed to these facilities because we believe they are important to the community as well as our ability to employ local people. We are continuing to work with a range of organisations on funding and management models. We have set aside land for these facilities on site before you cross the railway line but are not against other nearby options if they are more suitable.

Will the community centre be available to the community?

That is our intention.

Will you consider supporting local shows so we see more livestock entered in them in the future?

Once we are operational that is certainly something we are interested in. We want to celebrate our cattle producers.

Is there an opportunity to process quality cattle at the facility?

Yes. The facility has been designed for this.

Would people be able to bring in their own cow to be processed?

Yes – although probably not in the early commissioning phase.

Community Reference Group

The Community Reference Group is your local point of contact with NABL. The Group’s membership is drawn from the community around the site, Litchfield Council and technical expertise within NABL. Members are:

Chair: Stewart Cruden (Northern Australian Beef – NABL)

Community: Gavin Chambers

TS Lee

Anna Malgorzewicz

Allan McKay

Mary Pocock

Brooke Rankmore

Victor Statham (Litchfield Council representative)

NABL: Kelly Parkes (NABL technical/ compliance manager)

Dave Gurran (NABL engineering manager)

Justine Shailes (EcOz, environmental consultant)

Tracy Jones (Creative Territory, community relations consultant)