The former meat processing plant is being offered for sale by expressions of interest, and Elders Rural Deniliquin selling agent Matt Horne said there has been some early interest shown.
He said he has been contacted by a number of potential purchasers, based both locally and in other parts of Australia.
He said the potential use of the facility expands beyond its original purpose.
‘‘As it presents today, the internal components of the abattoir have been removed however the nucleus still remains,’’ Mr Horne said.
‘‘This creates an opportunity for other meat processors to fit out the existing structures with state of the art slaughtering, processing, packaging and chilling equipment.
‘‘However, the site also lends itself to a range of other industries including cold storage, a food wholesale business, transport depot, freight terminal, grain or commodities receival site, manufacturing or production factories, all subject to council support.
‘‘We have received enquiries from Victoria to Queensland, and a number of genuine local enquiries.
‘‘Each enquiry has had a different idea on what they would utilise the property for.
‘‘It’s a unique offering, and it will be interesting to see what new interest arises as we lead into the second half of our marketing program.’’
Mr Horne said that a re-opening of the facility would be ‘‘outstanding for the town from an employment perspective’’.
A real feature of the property is its location.
‘‘It’s situated between the airport, the regional sheep and cattle selling centres, GrainCorp grain receival site, the SunRice Mill, is close to the railway line and major highways and just four kilometres from Deniliquin’s CBD,’’ he said.
The property comprises of 32.5 hectares of freehold land zoned IN1 General Industrial, with substantial shedding including multiple storage sheds, workshop, chemical storage shed and two amenities blocks, and although the core of the abattoir has been de-commissioned, the kill floor, boning room and extensive chiller rooms with load-out facilities remain.
Other key features include two large three-phase power transformers of 1000 and 500KVA, town water connection and sealed road access suitable for road train and B-double combinations, several fenced holding paddocks with a subsurface/hydrant effluent re-use system once used for irrigation purposes, a spacious site office with reception offering six to seven office rooms, split-system units throughout, a kitchenette, toilet facilities and undercover parking.
The Deniliquin abattoir has been dormant for three years, when what was meant to a be a temporary suspension of processing became permanent.
In March 2017, the Australian Meat Group said work would be temporarily halted due to ‘‘an unsustainable lamb market’’. The facility, which was being serviced by up to 180 employees, never reopened.
Other owners of the facility have been Fami Corp and Klanstin. Each also had their own issues with sourcing workers and product.
The facility, located at 417 Cemetery Road Deniliquin, is for sale by expressions of interest closing on Tuesday, August 4.
The sale is being handled by Elders Rural Deniliquin in conjunction with Elders Residential Deniliquin.
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