20 December 2017

A Development Application (DA) to expand Carroll Cotton Gin’s production to 100,000 tonnes per year of raw cotton product has been approved by Gunnedah Shire Council at its December Ordinary Meeting.

Development approval was granted in 1999 for the production of 11,350 tonnes of processed lint cotton per year (28,375 tonnes of raw cotton product), which resulted in the addition of the gin’s fourth stand. A DA was lodged with Council in August 2017 to expand current production and approvals.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the $19,000,000 major upgrade project will not only increase cotton ginning production, but increase the speed of the process, maximising return on investment for growers in the region.

“This is a family-owned and operated business by the Davies family, and their innovation and dedication is a credit to them to be looking to the future with their expansion,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Council has a strong focus on economic development and this upgrade is an investment in the Gunnedah Shire economy.

“The annual production figures for Carroll Cotton Co will increase from approximately $65 million to $110 million – a huge plus for our Shire, local growers and the cotton industry,” he said.

“This will also have a flow-on effect into allied industries.”

Director Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns said work on the Carroll-based gin is proposed to begin in 2018 across three stages.

“The DA for Carroll Cotton Co was referred to Council as it is considered a major development. Stage one involves the construction of a farm building for the storage of machinery and other equipment,” Mr Johns said.

“Stage two will see the conversion of a farm building and the construction of another to accommodate the expansion. This stage will also see the installation of new ginning equipment, as well as water storage to support the upgrade. Stage three will see the installation of additional ginning equipment,” he said.

“Council has previously issued approvals for other buildings and structures associated with the gin facility on this site. These structures will be retained and utilised as part of the development.”

Carroll Cotton Co Directors Scott and Trudy Davies welcomed the news.

“This is a culmination of 18 months of work to get us to this point and we look forward to moving on with this project in due course,” Mr Davies said.

“A big thank you to staff and consultants who have worked with us on this process – it is very satisfying to have a positive outcome. There were also 43 submissions in favour of the DA, and we thank everyone for their support.

“The Carroll Cotton Gin has been in operation for 21 years and this will secure our future in the local community and the jobs we provide,” he said.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.