A TWENTY-THREE-million-dollar expansion to the Kilcoy Global Foods plant at Lance Creek will boost local jobs and secure more export opportunities for district farmers.
A green light for the project from Bass Coast Council has cleared the way for the latest round of expansion works to commence.
Kilcoy Global Foods invested in a major internal renovation of the site in 2023 and is now actively recruiting staff for the expanded facility which will create seven hundred square metres of chiller space, two thousand square metres of freezers and almost four hundred square metres of dry storage.
“Once we receive our building permits, we’ll commence right away,” said Kilcoy Global Foods.
Improved staff amenities will include three hundred approved car spaces and a bicycle area with shower and change facilities.
The export-registered Kilcoy Global Food group produces premium grass-fed and grain-fed beef as well as Wagyu beef at Lance Creek for consignment to more than 35 countries around the world.
Nothing goes to waste including non-food items such as hides and tallow which are sold to diverse markets.
Lance Creek runs south through the middle of the Kilcoy Global Foods property with scattered trees and shrubs lining the waterway and screening the facility from Korumburra-Wonthaggi Road.
Bass Coast Council welcomed the initiative which it is claimed will strengthen and diversify the local economy, improve access to jobs and encourage the development of more retail and commercial services in South Gippsland.
Kilcoy Global Foods is now recruiting locally for a range of different positions offering roles in operations, administration, warehousing, and leadership as well as the building and allied trades.
“We see Kilcoy Global Foods at Lance Creek as a major employer in the Gippsland region,” said KGF Head of People and Culture, Bevan Gibbs.
“We’re a global company with a growing reputation for excellence in the food industry.”
Training is provided with regular shifts offered.
“Kilcoy’s ‘Your Future in Food’ recruitment campaign is offering outstanding long-term career opportunities for people to live local and work local,” according to Bevan Gibbs.
“We started with a small group of loyal local employees and have added over one hundred new team members this year.
“Now we are looking to hire at least another one hundred as we build our KGF Lance Creek team to full capacity.”
The current abattoir site includes three paddocks for crop irrigation and two water storage ponds north of the main buildings clustered together in a central location.
“As a company we believe in supporting our local communities and where possible, will hire local talent,” said Gibbs.
Bass Coast councillors applauded the expansion of Kilcoy Global Foods as a positive step in supporting farmers.
“A great local business supporting local farmers,” said Councillor Rooks.
The expansion of the abattoir does not take away additional agricultural land.
A wide range of additional employment opportunities are likely to be generated in health, education, retail, tourism, professional consulting and technical services.
“Fantastic,” said Deputy Mayor Halstead.
Jobs closer to where people live.
For those interested in working for Kilcoy Global Foods go to kilcoyglobalfoods.com/careers