Abattoir expansion concerns

The opening of Woolworths and V&V Walsh’s $31 million abattoir expansion in Bunbury has done little to allay the fears of Burekup residents opposed to an agri-food precinct near the town.

One of the precinct’s more vocal opponents, John Madigan, said hearing of the announcement had provided no comfort to residents opposed to the precinct.

There is speculation in some quarters that the expansion by Woolworths could mean a lack of livestock would decrease the viability of an additional abattoir in Burekup.

However, Mr Madigan said he had received correspondence from the South West Development Commission as recently as February this year outlining plans for an abattoir slaughtering 100,000 head of cattle per annum.

‘‘They surely must have known about this expansion,’’ Mr Madigan said.

‘‘You would think the left hand would know what the right is doing.’’

Mr Madigan said he and other residents in the area were concerned a big industrial development would adversely affect the lifestyles of people in the area.

The Department of Agriculture was non-committal on the project, however, affirmed its support for the concept of industry and demand driven agri-food precincts in WA.