Safika’s Brisbane Valley positioned for strong export future

The Brisbane Valley Protein Precinct has taken an important step towards satisfying Asia’s appetite for quality meat. Australia’s Somerset Regional Council has granted preliminary approval for the company’s masterplan, a strong endorsement of the project.

The masterplan is set on 2500 acres (1011 hectares) near the town of Coominya and features ten sub areas accommodating a range of uses from food-based tourism, training, meat processing and livestock production. The project will be rolled out in stages, each stage subject to a code assessible development application.

Brisbane Valley Protein managing director, Duncan Brown, welcomed the announcement by the council which he said would help provide future opportunities in food production for generations to come.

Safika’s Saki Macozoma said that Brisbane Valley is an important component in Safika’s strategy of expanding its agricultural interests. “Brisbane Valley is working to fulfil an important need for Asia and doing so in a way that will create jobs and add value,” he said.

Marc Ber, of Safika International, said that hard work and meticulous planning by the team is paying off. “Safika and Brisbane Valley Protein are creating a business hub that is going to play an important role in job creation and food provision for generations to come, adding value to all our stakeholders.”

Duncan Brown said: “The Somerset Region already punches above its weight in terms of producing quality meat products for the world and food production accounts for more employment than any other sector,” Mr Brown said.

“Council’s support means this future is secure. We have set aside nearly 3000 acres (1214 hectares) for projects that support the growing, processing and exporting of quality products. We are also training young people for a future in food and hospitality initiatives that will continue to put the region on the map as a food tourism destination.”

Mr Brown said the preliminary approval reflected the strong community support for the project and meant the “heavy lifting” had been done up front in terms of environmental modelling.

“We went through a 60-day community consultation process and didn’t receive a single negative submission. We’d like to thank the community for its belief in the project and the positive outcomes we all believe it can deliver in the area. The approval provides a major shot of confidence for investors and others seeking to bring the precinct to life.”

Stage 1 of the precinct – an integrated, ‘hatch to dispatch’ quail business – was completed in August this year with the first exports of quail to Asia happening last week.

“This project is helping put the Brisbane valley and Somerset Region on the map.”