Mitchell River

Burdekin

River

Fitzroy River

Burnett River

Balonne River

Condamine River

War

rego

Riv

er

Coopers Creek

Diamantin

a River

Archer River

Leichhardt River

Bel

yand

o Ri

ver

Thomso

n River

Barcoo River

Bullo

o Ri

ver

Staaten River

Gilbert River

Flinders River

Saxby River

Daw

son River

Don River

Cape River

Burdekin River

Mar

y Ri

ver

Brisbane River

Clarke River

Einasleigh River

100

SCALE

0

Kilometres

200km

Charters Towers

Etheridge

Tablelands

Hinchinbrook

Townsville

Burdekin

Whitsunday

Isaac

Barcaldine

Flinders

600,000+

300,000

200,000

300,000

500,000

466,000

Council supports investment into value adding to our key agriculturalcommodities. Beef is the major commodity in our regional economy’s mix.We wish to attract new investments into our region and to form a meaningful and effective relationship with the business investors; while recognising the identity and aspirations of our residents for enhancing our economic prosperity. A new meat processing facility project would significantly stimulate economic, business and community growth for the next 20 years, while providing a solid return on investment options for investors and stakeholders.

Cr Frank BeveridgeMayor, Charters Towers Regional Council

Mitchell River

Burdekin

River

Fitzroy River

Burnett River

Balonne River

Condamine River

War

rego

Riv

er

Coopers Creek

Diamantin

a River

Archer River

Leichhardt River

Bel

yand

o Ri

ver

Thomso

n River

Barcoo River

Bullo

o Ri

ver

Staaten River

Gilbert River

Flinders River

Saxby River

Daw

son River

Don River

Cape River

Burdekin River

Mar

y Ri

ver

Brisbane River

Clarke River

Einasleigh River

100

SCALE

0

Kilometres

200km

Charters Towers

Etheridge

Tablelands

Hinchinbrook

Townsville

Burdekin

Whitsunday

Isaac

Barcaldine

Flinders

600,000+

300,000

200,000

300,000

500,000

466,000

WHY INVEST IN THE CHARTERS TOWERS MEAT PROCESSING FACILITY?With increasing cattle turnoff in northern Queensland, the opportunity exists for a new processor to capitalise on the Asian demand growth. The two existing basic paths to market (via processors in south eastern Queensland, and live export) involve the transport of live cattle over long distances. The Port of Brisbane is 1300 km south of Townsville. Strategically located within the prime cattle growing area of North Queensland, and enabling the benefit of it’s location at the crossroads of all major highways in and out of the northern region, a process facility at Charters Towers will significantly reduce the travel distances for cattle to processors, reducing costs to processors and increasing producer revenue in return.

CHARTERS TOWERS

BRISBANE

QLD

NSW

TAS

VIC

SA

NT

WA

ACTSYDNEY

Cairns

Townsville

Transport advantage: Main highways, rail and air access. Charters Towers is located at the crossroads of the Flinders Highway, Gregory Developmental Road and the main western rail line (Townsville - Mount Isa) and has local/state roads authorised for multi combination vehicle use.

Proximity to main export port of Townsville - 135 kms (90 minutes): Port of Townsville is the most significant growth port for a local beef processor, and has been exhibiting impressive growth in its container trade in the last five (5) years. New infrastructure investment into berth capacity and faster container loading equipment will ensure further cost efficiencies for a local processor.

Charters Towers Region resident population is over 12,000 with over a 5,000 strong workforce. Additional workforce can be sourced from Townsville (90 minutes easy drive) and surrounding coastal communities such as Ingham and Ayr.

Reliable all year round supply of cattle: Charters Towers Region is a well established cattle producing area within Australia, with cattle population exceeding 600,000. The wider region (within 500 kms) encompassing both coastal and inland areas, is producing in excess of 2,000,000 head of cattle. With such a large beef cattle producing catchment, traditional constraints to all year round cattle supply, due to extreme weather conditions, is mitigated.

Water secure area: The Burdekin River supplies the Charters Towers Region water needs; water is available via Council’s reticulated water system dependent upon location; and/or may be harvested

directly from the Burdekin River (subject to issue of appropriate licence).

Availability of flood proof freehold land to accommodate various sizes of meat processing operations. There are multiple site options suitable for establishment of a large scale meatworks in the immediate environs of Charters Towers. Council is prepared to assist with administrative functions pertaining to acquisition and planning requirements. Proposed land areas are located within the Rural Zone.

Irrigation Opportunities: Intensive fodder production is possible within areas proposed. Several large scale farms producing fodder and other agricultural commodities already operate in the Charters Towers Region.

Charters Towers has a range of housing options available today.

Key Charters Towers project location advantages at a glance:

· Council operated cattle saleyards;· Large scale fodder producing enterprises; and· State Government Department of Agriculture,

Fisheries and Forestry office, specialising in beef production research.

Abundance of land for commercial developments: There are large areas of undeveloped land in Charters Towers City and its surrounds. There is potential to utilise the land for land-intensive activities and industry. Council is presently negotiating with the State to have appropriate ‘Unallocated State Land’ in the City limitsreleased for development adjacent to existing utilities and infrastructure.

Charters Towers Airport Industrial Zone: Council has recently developed a Master Plan to allow zonal changes, so as the area may be developed.

Energy supply: Charters Towers is relatively well placed to provide energy generation and distribution to the greater region. Government funded studies and development plans evidence the potential for thedevelopment of renewable energy sources (solar, geothermal) and conventional power generation (hydro, coal fired).

Industrial 3 phase power supply is available: 66kVA feeder lines in proximity to proposed sites.

Other services supporting the beef cattle industry within the region include:

Government support for the Charters Towers Meat Processing Project

The Queensland Government has a growth target of doubling food production by 2040. Beef production is the major primary industry in Queensland.

A recently completed economic model simulation prepared by the Queensland Government shows that North Queensland’s and Northern Australia’s beef and allied industries would significantly benefit as a result of the potential establishment of the Charters Towers meat processing facility.

The initial $20 million in value added to the Charters Towers facility would generate approximately $43.8 million in industry support effects up the supply chain.

The industry sectors most benefiting from the proposed Charters Towers project are:

1. Beef cattle ($21 million, accounting for nearly 50% of industrial support value add effects)2. Road transport ($4.9 million, 11 %)3. Finance, property & development services ($3.7

million, 8%)4. Job creation potential: Additional to the 200 initial

expected jobs employed by the facility5. An extra 360 jobs are estimated to be generated

up the supply chain in industry sectors, including 176 jobs in beef cattle (nearly 50% of extra jobs),

road transport with 41 jobs (11%); and services to agriculture (26 jobs, 7%).

Key Stakeholders

NorthBEEF Inc. (www.northbeef.com.au) - Cattle Supply chain

NorthBEEF Inc. membership and support comprises of over two hundred beef cattle producers (representingapproximately 4 million plus cattle) operating throughout north and northwest Queensland, all sharing a common purpose of facilitating a better and more efficient market outcome for their respective product.

NorthBEEF’s VISION is for a vibrant north Australian beef industry that is healthy, viable and secure.

Vibrant describes an industry that is progressive, lively, energetic, positive, thriving and attractive to young people and new participants.

Viable describes an industry that is sufficiently profitable to ensure a long term future with progressive businesses that have an ability to adequately employ, train and retain their workforce.

Secure expresses the need for market access which ensures the beef industry is long-term and can fulfil domestic and global food demands.

A quote from Rob Atkinson, the Chairman of NorthBEEF Inc.:

‘The beef industry is Northern Australia’s largest and most suitable broad-acre industry. It has been in existence ever since the North was settled. It is renewable and sustainable, and if another beef processing facility is constructed, the issues around the lack of slaughter capacity in the North will be addressed. NorthBEEF initiated the feasibility study into the suitability and supply capacity for a new abattoir in Northern Queensland. This study was funded by both the Federal and Queensland State Governments and supported by Mt Isa to Townsville Economic Zone and Golf Savannah Development. It was completed in 2012. It was conclusive that there is supply capacity for a new plant. NorthBEEF would like to see a close relationship between beef producers and the beef processor.’

Wulguru Steel (www.wulguru.com) - Beef processing technology

The Wulguru Group is a privately owned Australian steel fabrication company. Their core business is providing innovative engineering solutions. With unrivalled technology, capacity and infrastructure, Wulguru Steel has become one of the largest steel fabrication companies in Northern Australia.

Wulguru Steel offers 36 years of knowledge and experience in the food processing industry and has extensive proven capabilities for design and manufacturing of equipment for many applications, including the meat, dairy, seafood, grain food, bakery & sugar industries.

Wulguru Steel also provides a technology transfer service which encompasses: feasibility studies, large project management, mechanical services, refrigeration plant & electrical services design, marketing, maintenance and energy surveys and usage monitoring.

Wulguru Steel is able to provide personnel with many years’ experience with hands-on operational experience in the food industry. Through a diverse range of contacts in the food industry, a range of experts can be placed in a food processing plant to train new staff in the functions of modern Food Industry Plant Management.

Port of Townsville (www.townsville-port.com.au) - Freight/Container handling

Located 1,360 kilometres north of Brisbane on the east coast of Queensland and 135 kilometres from Charters Towers, the Port of Townsville is a world-class gateway for trade and investment.

Townsville’s ten (10) operational berths handle more than an eighth of Queensland’s international trade (by value), making it a major driver of economic growth in Northern Australia. More than 20 shipping lines operate out of the Port of Townsville, offering over 40 services and covering 136 ports around the world, including China.

Queensland State Government Spyglass Beef Research Facility

Charters Towers is also home to the leading Queensland Government owned Spyglass Beef Research Station. The research centre undertakes projects designed at enhancing the capacity of Australia’s beef industry, including accelerated genetics, best practice pasture management and fertility management.

For any investment enquiries, please contact Council’s Planning and Sustainable Development Unit

12 Mosman Street, Charters Towers Q 4820, AUSTRALIAPhone: 07 4761 5300 Email: mail@charterstowers.qld.gov.au Website: www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au

Disclaimer: Information contained herein, while not guaranteed, is from sources believed to be reliable. All prospective investors are encouraged to obtainlegal and/or technical guidance. Prices, properties and information contained within this document are subject to change.