PROJECTS to help diversify the Gannawarra economy are progressing, with a new free range egg farm in the earthworks stage.
Gannawarra Council executive manager of economic development Roger Griffiths said work had begun on the $40 million free range egg farm at Kerang East.
The facility would comprise four sheds, measuring 160m by 18m; sorting, packing and grading facilities; a rearing shed, and manager’s residence.
“On completion the facility will employ around 25 staff and link in with the other facilities in Victoria managed by Kinross Farms,” Mr Griffiths said.
“The free range egg project is another example of diversifying the agricultural sector, creating jobs and new investment.
“We have had a close relationship with managing director Philip Szepe and the Kinross Farms team for many years, so it’s great to see the project hit the ground.
“As a council, we will continue to chase new agricultural developments to offset looming water buybacks.”
Mr Szepe said the Kerang project would provide additional capacity in the Victorian market.
“At the moment, the bird flu outbreak has impacted production with the industry struggling to maintain supply,” he said.
“Australia consumes around 19 million eggs per day.
“Eggs continue to offer an affordable, nutrient-dense solution that brings joy to mealtimes, in the face of cost-of-living challenges.”
Kerang businesswoman Karen McNeil welcomed the array of developments.
“It’s great to see so much development happening in the shire, and it will certainly be great for business and to keep our population growing,” she said.
“I’m from a farming family and have seen so many changes over the years.
“With the pressure on dairy, we need to have new developments.”
The egg farm, located at 8511 Murray Valley Highway with four parcels of land, was approved at the March ordinary council meeting.
“The proposed rearing facility comprises four rearing sheds would house up to 50,000 birds (200,000 birds in total),” a report to the council said.
“These birds/chickens would be raised from a day old to 16 weeks of age where they would then be used to stock the free range egg laying facility.
“The proposed free range egg laying facility comprises four sheds which would house up to 100,000 birds each (400,000 birds in total).
“The birds would be free-ranged at a density of 1500 birds per hectare with each shed having a segregated ranging paddock.”
Additional works include a bio-sanitation pad, truck sanitation booth, storage dam, two borrow pits, detention basins, concrete hardstand areas, feed silos, earthen bunding, internal fencing and formation of the internal road network.
Mr Szepe and wife Jane have been raising hens and producing eggs for more than 50 years. Their main farm is at Kinglake, north of Melbourne.
“We manage every part of the egg production from growing day-old chicks to feed milling, grading and value adding,” he said on their company website.
“That way we can guarantee quality assurance for every single egg.
“At Kinross Farm, we know that high quality fresh eggs come from healthy, well cared for hens. We’re committed to training and developing our Kinross Farm team to ensure top quality husbandry for our hens.
“Once our eggs have been laid, we use state-of-the-art grading, warehousing, pasteurising and packaging equipment to ensure safe, fast and efficient delivery to our customers.”
Meanwhile, a new solar farm on Old Echuca Road in Kerang is gathering pace with the panels attached to their mounts.
Mr Griffiths said British Solar Renewables’ solar farm was progressing quickly with construction expected to be completed by January 2025.
“The 37 megawatt peak facility will connect into the Kerang terminal station located directly across the road,” he said.
Council chief executive officer Geoff Rollinson said energy was an important part of diversifying the Gannawarra economy and “ensuring that economic activity is maintained to support the business community”.
“With water buybacks looming, we need to be bringing in new developments to maintain growth and diversify the local economy,” he said.
“It also gives local farmers the opportunity for additional income streams and to add value to their farms.”
Tony Height, from Kerang Holiday Park, said the construction period was important for the local hospitality sector.
“We have tradies staying in the park and their families are visiting Kerang on weekends,” he said.
“New people shopping in town benefits our local supermarkets and retailers.”
A BSR spokesperson said the company was exploring sustainable land management practices, including sheep grazing to manage grass and weed growth within the solar farm.
“Our initiative includes extensive tree planting efforts, with each tree serving as a valuable carbon offset,” the spokesperson said.
