Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington has debunked the notion Noosa Council is behind a proposal to reopen an abattoir at Eumundi.
He said Noosa Council had received around 20 printed postcards, headed ‘Noosa Country Slaughter’ and featuring a pair of bloody hands on the front, complaining about a project to investigate the reopening of the Eumundi abattoir, but Noosa Council had no role to play in any consideration of the Eumundi abattoir.
“Indeed, Noosa Council has no policy or position on the Eumundi facility being reopened, and nor are we taking any action in this regard,” he said.
“Of course the former abattoir is not in Noosa Shire, so the ability of our Council to directly influence the matter is zero.”
Cr Wellington said Country Noosa had received an Economic Development grant from Council towards the investigation of a yearling beef project in the Noosa hinterland.
“The research project by Country Noosa was part-funded because it aligns with Council’s overarching aim of broadening the local economy, in this case through consideration of agricultural opportunities,” he said.
“Country Noosa is an independent incorporated association with the purpose of promoting sustainable rural enterprises. Inevitably, when considering cattle production, the issue of processing must be addressed. But that is a matter for Country Noosa to consider as part of the research project, not Noosa Council.
“Noosa Council does not direct Country Noosa, and nor does the Council have any specific involvement in the substance of their research.
“Any consideration of reopening the Eumundi abattoir is a matter for the property owner and, if a development approval is required, the Sunshine Coast Council is the relevant Council.”
Country Noosa president Martin Duncan said the yearling beef project was still being investigated and while there was a lot of incorrect information circulating about it the results would be made public at its conclusion.
