Collaborative push to MEAT demand for niche abattoir
Published on 04 June 2026
Central Queensland is seeking to enhance its reputation as the Beef Capital of Australia, advocating for the creation of a small-scale multispecies processing facility (SMPF) to fill a significant market gap in the region and allow improved ability for local farmers to sell their products.
The MEAT Capricorn Project is a collaborative partnership between CQUniversity, Livingstone Shire Council and Rockhampton Regional Council, and was established following strong demand from small-scale and hobby farmers wanting to process their meat for sale.
Meat can only be sold where it has been proceeded through an accredited facility. While two large-scale cattle facilities operate in Rockhampton and Livingstone, hobby famers wanting to process smaller allocations such as sheep, goats, pigs and cattle must travel to Monto or the Mackay Region for processing.
A scoping study, conducted by Regionality, and subsequent prospectus MEAT The Opportunity has identified an untapped market for an SMPF to be established spanning approximately 600 kilometres.
A locally based SMPF would reduce travel times by as much as 3.5 hours which improves animal welfare, increase production, provide employment and training pathways, improve product traceability, develop niche processing (e.g. – goat meat) and allow Central Queensland producers and businesses to develop location-based branding or a co-op.
The facility would focus on smaller-scale and hobby producers, complementing the large-scale abattoirs which make significant contributions to the region’s economy.
The three partner agencies will now advocate for the establishment of an SMPF to commercial businesses, agricultural stakeholders, and Governments, to support farmers wishing to sell authentic Central Queensland products to supermarkets, restaurants and the community.
Enquiries from interested stakeholders can be emailed to economicdevelopment@livingstone.qld.gov.au , advancerockhampton@rrc.qld.gov.au or j.rolfe@cqu.edu.au
The MEAT Capricorn scoping study received funding from the Australian Government through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Fund.
Quotes attributable to Livingstone Shire Mayor, Adam Belot:
“By closing a niche market gap, a small boutique processing facility for locally produced meat would enhance the viability of producers and enable local distribution through paddock-to-plate or retail models, supporting the local economy across the entire supply chain.
“As more residents choose a rural lifestyle, we’re hearing that the lack of such a facility is holding them back from sharing their world-class product with consumers – and we’re pushing to change that.”
Quotes attributable to Rockhampton Region Mayor, Tony Williams:
“Our local farmers are hungry for more and want to sell their produce, but without a small-scale multispecies processing facility that can be both expensive and impractical.
“We are the Beef Capital of Australia, and this facility would only enhance that reputation and support those larger-scale facilities.
“Imagine sitting at a restaurant along the river and being able to say with 100% certainty that your steak came from our own backyard – that’s a significant tourism and business opportunity we want to see realised.”
Quotes attributable to CQUniversity Professor of Regional Economic Development, John Rolfe:
“There is a significant market gap in our region to process and sell local product, particularly for goat, sheep, and pig farmers.
“Labour shortages were a constant theme coming out of discussions with the meat processing industry – so a facility that combined processing and training could also be an opportunity, and something which draws in students and producers from across Queensland.”